Inter head coach Simone Inzaghi feels that the role of striker Lautaro Martinez as a leader in this Nerazzurri team has been very significant, and that the Argentine has proven himself as a top player.

Speaking to Italian broadcaster Sky Sport Italia, via FCInterNews, Inzaghi praised the striker who has been wearing the captain’s armband in recent matches, and also gave his thoughts ahead of this evening’s Champions League clash with Porto.

If Martinez had always been a player who made an impact under previous Inter coaches Luciano Spalletti and Antonio Conte, under Inzaghi his importance has been magnified greatly.

The 25-year-old has become the player who, in addition to being the team’s most prolific source of goals, also sets the tone for the team defensively and in possession.

In the view of Inzaghi, there is little doubt about Martinez’s quality and what he brings to the team, and there never has been for the past season and a half.

Of the Argentine’s leadership, the coach said that “It’s very important for us, he’s performing at a consistent level, he’s been playing top-quality football for the past year and a half.”

“The trophies he’s won with this club and with his national team have given him even greater strength and confidence,” he added, “he has to keep going in this direction and he’ll win even more at the team and individual level.”

Looking ahead to this evening’s Champions League round of sixteen first leg against Porto, Inzaghi stated that “Looking at the progress we made last season against Real and Liverpool, the eventual finalists, and this year’s group stage matches, these are obviously matches that make a team grow.”

“We carry all of those matches with us, but now we’re ready to focus on a Porto team who are at the top level physically and technically, they’re coming into it off the back of ten wins in a row.”

“We’ll need to play a great match as a team, with energy and determination,” Inzaghi said.