Inter Milan star Lautaro Martinez is hoping that he can follow in the footsteps of Diego Milito against Man City this evening.
This is highlighted in today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews, who note that the 25-year-old can echo the legacy of his fellow Argentine if he is decisive in the Champions League final.
Going into this evening’s final in Istanbul, Martinez is currently on 28 goals scored across all competitions this season.
That is the same number that Milito had been on before the 2010 Champions League final.
All Inter fans will remember what happened in that final. Milito scored a brace in a 2-0 Nerazzurri victory over Bayern Munich.
That capped off the European Treble, and gave Inter their third ever European Cup or Champions League crown.
Now, the Nerazzurri have the chance to make it four.
In order to do so, however, they’ll be counting on a decisive performance from their key man in attack.
Lautaro Martinez Aiming To Emulat Diego Milito Heroics Vs Man City
Unlike Milito, Martinez did not arrive at Inter and immediately make a decisive impact.
Whereas Milito had signed from Genoa as a well-established striker, Martinez joined with only a few years of senior experience under his belt.
However, the important that the 25-year-old has to this Inter team has grown season on season.
In each of the past two campaigns, Martinez has been the Nerazzurri’s top scorer. Moreover, the Argentine brings a lot more than goals to the team.
Martinez’s holdup play, defensive workrate, and leadership abilities have been at the heart of many of Inter’s best performances.
The Nerazzurri will certainly need him to be at his best tonight. They face perhaps the toughest opponent they have all season in the form of Premier League juggernaut Man City.
However, Martinez will have a great role model to emulate, and he’ll believe that he can channel Milito.
