Lautaro Martinez ran riot off the bench as Inter Milan routed Red Star Belgrade 4-0, but Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s showing flattered to deceive.
According to Corriere dello Sport, as reported by FCInterNews, the Nerazzurri captain excelled since coming on while his clubmate fell short of expectations.
CdS’s player ratings were perhaps unjust to the former Armenia international.
Despite picking up an early booking and spurning a glorious chance midway through the first half, Mkhitaryan was solid.
His energy and determination helped Inter assume control of proceedings in the middle of the pitch.
In Nicolo Barella’s absence, Simone Inzaghi relied on the veteran to cover the ground, and he answered the call with an electrifying display.
Hakan Calhanoglu was the mastermind behind Inter’s offensive movements, but Mkhitaryan was the muscle.
Early setbacks aside, the 35-year-old flexed his legs and was all over the place.
Perhaps the only blemish on Mkhitaryan’s promising showing was a lack of composure in front of goal.
Indeed, he should’ve scored last night, considering how frequently he found himself in promising positions.
Lautaro Martinex Goes From Strength to Strength While Henrikh Mkhitaryan Wasteful in Inter Milan Dream Night
Mkhitaryan may have been wasteful in the final third, but Lautaro Martinez wasn’t.
The resurgent Inter captain scored from his first shot to open his Champions League account this season.
As it seems, Simone Inzaghi has his talismanic forward truly back at his best.
Martinez was lethal against Udinese last weekend, notching up a game-winning brace.
Last night, he picked up where he left off, announcing his long-awaited return to form.
Encouragingly for the Inter faithful, Mehdi Taremi was neck-and-neck with the 27-year-old.
Signed from Porto on a free transfer in the summer, Taremi showed glimpses of his class last evening.
Two match-defining assists, crowned with a late penalty, summed up the Iranian’s devastating impact in the front third.
