Inter striker Lautaro Martinez and AC Milan duo Theo Hernandez and Olivier Giroud both played in the World Cup final in December, but the way that it appears to have affected them could hardly be more different.
This is highlighted in today’s print edition of Rome-based newspaper La Repubblica, via FCInterNews, who note that in the case of the Argentine, victory in the final has boosted his form at club level, whilst the two French Rossoneri players have suffered a “hangover”.
The fact that Argentina and France both reached the World Cup final in Qatar ensured that there was representation from both sides of the Milan derby divide.
Inter striker Martinez started on the bench but came on in extra time to help fire the Albiceleste to their first World Cup win in over three decades, whilst Rossoneri defender Hernandez and striker Giroud were forced to settle for second place as France were unable to win the tournament two editions in a row.
The win appears to have given Martinez a lift, as he has been one of Inter’s form players in front of goal.
On the flip side, Giroud has only scored one goal for Milan, which came in the midst of a 5-2 loss to Sassuolo, whilst Hernandez has looked some way off of his blistering best, quite possibly evidence that neither have fully digested the disappointment of losing the World Cup final.
