Inter Milan coach Simone Inzaghi is happy with the leadership that’s shown by the Nerazzurri’s captain Lautaro Martinez.
The coach spoke to Italian broadcaster DAZN, via FCInterNews, after the Nerazzurri beat Salernitana 4-0 courtesy of four second half goals from the Argentine.
Martinez certainly proved his worth to Inter with his second half appearance against Salernitana.
The 26-year-old scored a remarkable four goals despite only coming on off the bench.
Martinez has been Inter’s top scorer in each of the past two seasons. And it seems almost inevitable that the Argentine will be again this time around.
But goals are not the only thing that Martinez provides to Inter.
The 26-year-old has worn the captain’s armband for the Nerazzurri starting this season. He inherited it from Samir Handanovic following the Slovenian’s departure during the summer transfer window and subsequent retirement from football.
Inter Coach Simone Inzaghi Hails Lautaro Martinez’s Leadership
Even before this evening’s match Martinez had a stellar scoring record against Salernitana.
And yet, Inzaghi decided to initially rest the captain.
The coach explained that “He can start on the bench as anyone else can. This evening he did so to take a breather after so many matches close together.”
The coach said of Martinez that “He always gives everything he has, he never gives up and so he needed a rest.”
“He was as good, as his teammates were who provided him with him some excellent service.”
“He’s always done well since his early years here,” Inzaghi noted. “He’s always played a lot.”
“Now he’s captain and so he feels more and more like a leader. But he’s always worked very hard.”
“He’s gained a lot of experience, he’s won numerous trophies,” Inzaghi said of Martinez.
“He’s a world champions. And he’ll just keep on growing, but always working the same way as he always does, in Appiano Gentile.”
As for why he decided to take of Alexis Sanchez rather than Marcus Thuram, Inzaghi said that “I was thinking about it. Sanchez and Thuram were both doing well, I opted for more physicality.”
“But Sanchez is doing a great job, he has to keep going.”
Inzaghi On Champions League & Kristjan Asllani
The coach was asked about what the team has gained from last season’s run to the Champions League final.
He replied that “Mentally it’s given us a lot.”
“But ever since July 13 the guys have been working to understand our principles of play.”
“The team has been together for a long time,” Inzaghi noted.
The coach also made clear that “I need everyone’s contribution, because sometimes we return from away matches late in the evening, and then have to prepare for the next match in a short time, like the one on Tuesday against Benfica.”
And Inzaghi also spoke about midfielder Kristjan Asllani, who appeared as a substitute against Salernitana.
“He’s doing well,” the coach said of the Albanian midfielder. “He has to keep going the way he has been.”
“He’s been with us for a year and a half,” he continued. “And he keeps on improving.”
Inzaghi noted that “Playing at Inter is not like playing at Empoli. But he’s growing, and tonight he gave us a big help.”