Inter Milan captain Lautaro Martinez admits that massive improvement is needed from the Nerazzurri despite snatching a point away to Real Sociedad.
Speaking to Amazon Prime after the 1-1 draw, via FCInterNews, the Argentine gave his immediate reaction to the match.
Inter did not get their Champions League campaign to the same kind of blazing start they have in Serie A this season.
On the contrary, the Nerazzurri looked a shadow of the team that they’ve been in the league away in San Sebastian.
After conceding an early goal due to an Alessandro Bastoni error in possession, Inter struggled to string together enough passes to create any dangerous chances or even situations that would trouble the La Real backline.
Inter’s key players failed to make their usual impact, including Martinez.
But then, late in the match as the Nerazzurri finally started to put pressure on the La Real defense, the Inter captain popped up with a goal.
Martinez times his run perfectly to latch onto a Davide Frattesi through-ball. And the Argentine’s finish was unerring, as he took his goal tally for the season to six in all competitions.
Lautaro Martinez Not Happy With Performance Vs Real Sociedad – But Happy With Point
So Inter managed to take a point back home from their first match of their Champions League.
This means that the result was much less damaging than it could have been despite the largely flat performance.
Martinez admitted that “I’m not happy with it. We didn’t play well, didn’t play the way we prepared.”
“We took to the pitch in a very poor way,” the Inter captain continued.
“We struggled. We have to improve a lot.”
Martinez went on that “I don’t think it’s because of playing so many matches.
“We faced a high team that came to press us, we were always offside, it’s always difficult to play against smaller teams who want to press you high,” the Argentine said.
“We have to work on that, even in the derby we didn’t always get up the pitch well.”
The 26-year-old went on that “The important thing is to have left the pitch with at least a point.”
“We knew that they were a strong team that have caused problems for plenty of teams,” he continued.
“A small stadium with fans who make themselves heard.”
“The important thing is not to have lost,” Martinez concluded. “Otherwise the group would have become difficult. At least we go home with a point.”