Italian journalist Mario Sconcerti feels that the quality of striker Lautaro Martinez on the night was ultimately what settled their 3-0 win over AC Milan in the Coppa Italia yesterday evening.

Writing in his column in today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Corriere della Sera, Sconcerti highlighted Martinez as the decisive player, and also gave the view that the disallowing of Milan’s second-half goal was harsh but correct.

Inter enjoyed a fast start to the match as they looked to push the Rossoneri high up the pitch and open up spaces in which to attack constantly, but this would have been worth little if they were not able to convert their chances.

Martinez acted as the tip of the spear in attack and he made sure that the team could take an advantage into halftime with two very well-taken goals.

In the end, a second-half clean sheet as well as a late strike by Robin Gosens were enough to make sure that Martinez’s commanding first-half display was the difference between the two sides.

“Lautaro was decisive,” Sconcerti writes, “the best striker on the pitch.”

He explains that “Inter found it easier to score, they have forwards who individually have more of an eye for goal.”

“Giroud doesn’t get on the ballmuch, like Lautaro, but doesn’t have the same quality to always be dangerous,” he adds. “Giroud scores goals or else doesn’t affect the game.”

“Inter can wait for Lautaro because they still have Dzeko, Sanchez, or Correa who created the 2-0 goal for Lautaro,” he goes on.

Sconcerti argues that “Milan did not deserve a clear defeat, they also scored the goal that could open the game back up but it was taken away from them with a harsh and correct decision.”

“In the sense that Kalulu did not obstruct the view anymore than the whole crowd of players that Handanovic had in front of him did,” he adds, “but you can’t be offside in front of the opposition goalkeeper.”