talian media placed Lautaro Martinez firmly at the centre of Inter’s 1-0 win away to Udinese, portraying the captain as both match-winner and emblem of Cristian Chivu’s evolving project.

According to TuttoMercatoWeb, via L’Interista, Lautaro’s performance carried symbolic weight as well as decisive substance.

“He regains his place in the starting XI and, after testing the waters, finds the goal from Esposito’s lay-off. He is the symbolic figure of Chivu’s new path,” the outlet wrote.

Indeed, underlining how the Argentine now embodies the coach’s ideas on intensity, sacrifice and verticality.

Ruthless Lautaro Propels Inter To Victory At Udinese

Lautaro Martinez Inter Milan
BERGAMO, ITALY – DECEMBER 28: Lautaro Martinez of FC Internazionale celebrates after scoring their team’s first goal during the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and FC Internazionale at New Balance Arena on December 28, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

La Gazzetta dello Sport focused instead on the striker’s ruthless efficiency after an initially wasteful start: “Early on, he forgives Udinese for the first chance, but on the second he does not. He does whatever he wants to Kristensen and curls the ball into the corner.”

The paper highlighted not only the goal, but also Lautaro’s physical dominance and ability to decide games even when Inter fail to kill them off early.

Beyond the statistics, the captain’s display reinforced his leadership role in a demanding away fixture.

Lautaro led the press, linked effectively with Francesco Pio Esposito, and helped Inter manage a match that required patience and control rather than flair.

In a game where the margin for error was slim, his ability to strike at the right moment proved decisive.

Lautaro Martinez ratings:

La Gazzetta dello Sport: 7

Corriere dello Sport: 7.5

Tuttosport: 7.5

TuttoMercatoWeb: 7

L’Interista: 7