Inter would have absolutely no intention of letting striker Lautaro Martinez go following the Argentine striker’s match-winning display off the bench against Lazio yesterday evening.
This according to Italian news outlet Gazzetta.it, who report that the 25-year-old’s performance in the second half against the Biancoclesti only further reiterated the extend to which he is seen as a vital player for the future at the Nerazzurri.
Martinez did not start in yesterday evening’s match, with Inter coach Simone Inzaghi choosing to rotate the attack.
However, the Argentine was called upon when the team really needed an impact in attack, with the team trailing heading into the latter stages of the latter stages of the match.
With his substitute appearance, Martinez proved that even when he does not start matches, he can be Inter’s difference-maker.
The 25-year-old gave a different dimension in attack compared to how the team had been playing with Joaquin Correa pairing with Romelu Lukaku in attack.
The Gazzetta suggest that this constituted a kind of message to coach Inzaghi, that Martinez and Lukaku should be the starting pair when the Nerazzurri face off against AC Milan in the Champions League later this month.
Whilst Lukaku had been putting in an individually fairly good performance alongside Correa, something entirely different was unlocked when Martinez came off the bench, as he had a real reference point playing alongside him.
Therefore, it wasn’t too surprising that it was the Belgian who assisted the Argentine for Inter’s equalizer.
As the Gazzetta notes, this could also mean that Martinez staying put would be a key factor in any decision to keep Lukaku past the end of his current loan spell.
Moreover, the Argentine also showed why he is marked out by many as a future captain of Inter.
Whilst he did not start, his energy and leadership from the bench proved to be crucial.
