Lautaro Martinez could prove to be Inter Milan’s “insurance policy” in this evening’s Champions League match against Benfica.

This is the view in today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews.

Martinez has nearly been a ubiquitous presence in Inter’s starting eleven this season.

And it’s not hard to see why Nerazzurri coach Simone Inzaghi keeps picking the Argentina.

Martinez is Inter’s captain. The striker sets the tone for the team’s performance as a whole with his defensive workrate and linkup play.

But above all, the 26-year-old has guaranteed Inter goals.

Martinez has found the back of the net fifteen times this season already.

There is a sense that with their captain on the pitch, Inter almost start matches 1-0 up – such is the likelihood that, by hook or by crook, Martinez will score.

Lautaro Martinez Gives Inter “Insurance Policy” Vs Inter

There have been a couple matches in which Inzaghi has left Martinez out, though.

Even a player as durable as the 26-year-old needs a rest once in a while.

The Argentine didn’t start in a league match away to Salernitana. But ironically enough, that was the match in which he bagged four of his goals.

Martinez came off the bench in the second half, after it had become clear that the starting lineup lacked a bit of cutting edge in the penalty area.

And that cutting edge is exactly what Martinez and brought. And then some.

The Argentine scored a whopping four goals in less than a half of football.

Then it was a similar story in Inter’s Champions League match away to Red Bull Salzburg.

Martinez began that match on the bench.

But it was Inter’s captain who once again came on and turned the tide, with the match heading towards a 0-0 before his arrival. Martinez scored from the spot to secure a spot in the knockouts.

This evening away to Benfica, Inzaghi is expected to put out a heavily-rotated eleven.

The 47-year-old will put his trust in some of his lesser-used players to get the job done.

But should they not be able to, the Inter coach will have an “insurance policy” that he can always cash in. Martinez will be waiting on the bench for if the Nerazzurri need inspiration in front of goal.