Inter Milan and Lautaro Martinez will again be absent from Sunday’s Milan derby, and a striking statistic from Transfermarkt underlines just how significant that loss is ahead of the biggest game of the season.
The Argentina captain leads Europe’s top five leagues for match-winning goals this season, having scored nine that have directly decided results, via L’Interista.
Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe sit behind him on eight, a reminder that Lautaro is not just Inter’s top scorer, but the most decisive individual in European football when it comes to winning games.
Milan Vs Inter – Lautaro Absence A Blow As Argentine Proves Doubters Wrong
The criticism that he does not perform in big matches simply does not hold up.
His record across high-stakes fixtures tells a different story, and Cristian Chivu will feel his absence most acutely in a derby where margins are tight and one moment of quality often settles the tie.
The task falls to Pio Esposito and Marcus Thuram.
Both have contributed this season, but replacing a player of Lautaro’s calibre, in terms of goals, leadership and sheer winning mentality, is a significant ask.
It is the one area of genuine concern for Inter heading into a match that could all but seal the Scudetto.
Some people here will acutally be so damn happy as they say that he will not score in big games, forgetting all his goals in some big games all past seasons…So, a perfect weekend for some.
And for others…Forza Inter – fino alla fine!!!
Right, maybe he’s not the worlds best finisher, but certainly our best striker, every season delivers minimum 25 goal contributions. With him on the pitch we score more goals, have an extra man in midfield and defensive assignments.
He scored many goals in big matches under Spalletti, Conte and Inzaghi, but not under Chivu’s orders. So, people who says he don’t score in big matchs are talking about this season only.