Italian Journalist Stefano De Grandis: “Inter’s Bad Form Was A Mental Matter, Lautaro Martinez Not A Top-Class Striker”

Italian journalist Stefano De Grandis believes that the run of bad form that Inter had been in between February and March was largely a matter of the team having a mental block.

Speaking to Italian broadcaster Sky Sport Italia, De Grandis gave his analysis of why he felt the Nerazzurri had slumped so dramatically, and also gave the view that Lautaro Martinez does not have the consistency to be a top-quality striker.

Inter had been the strongest team in Serie A going into the beginning of February, but between February and March their form took a nosedive.

This saw them falter from their commanding position at the top of the table to find themselves chasing AC Milan and Napoli,and raised major doubts about their credentials at the top.

Now, things look much brighter for the Nerazzurri as they’ve put that run behind them since the return from the international break, and De Grandis feels that this has all been a question of mentality.

“Inzaghi hit the switch,” De Grandis said, “It had always just been a mental matter.”

“The team seemed empty, something had stalled,” he said of their run of form after losing to AC Milan at the start of February, “the second shock that came against Juventus was needed.”

“Inzaghi did well not to hide before the Juve match, saying that they needed to win. Then they won without deserving it, as they hadn’t deserved to lose against Milan.”

“The league season always has moments like this,” he added, “the real trick is knowing how to ride them our, and Inzaghi did it.”

“He never hid, this is his strength,” De Grandis continued. “He is ambitious and has inspired the team to believe as he does.”

Of Martinez, he said that :Finding a striker who scores is the hardest thing, but it depends how much money they cam bring you.”

“I disagree with those who consider Lautaro a top-class player,” he continued, “In my opinion he’s not. He’s instinctive and beautiful in the act of scoring goals, but he is not a leader.”

He noted that “He was better alongside Lukaku. If a player can bring in that much money, you can consider giving them up.”