Inter Milan captain Lautaro Martinez has been left out of Inter Milan’s Champions League lineups for a reason.
Today’s print edition of Turin-based newspaper Tuttosport, via FCInterNews, note that Inter coach Simone Inzaghi has decided to prioritize playing his captain in the league.
Martinez was an eye-catching omission from Inter’s starting eleven against Real Sociedad on Tuesday.
The Nerazzurri visibly struggled in attack without the Argentine at times.
Moreover, this was not the first time that Martinez has been left out of the team in Europe.
In fact, Martinez has started on the bench in as many Champions League group stage matches as he has started on the pitch.
The 26-year-old had started away to La Real and at home against Benfica.
Then he found himself on the bench against Red Bull Salzburg at the San Siro, and Benfica in Lisbon.
Inter Captain Lautaro Martinez Left Out Of Champions League Lineups As Serie A The Focus
According to Tuttosport, Martinez’s absence from the lineup in the Champions League reflects the focus on Serie A.
Inzaghi did start his captain in the first two group stage matches of the season.
These were matches in which a result was vital for Inter. They needed to avoid falling behind in the group and risking failing to reach the knockouts.
But once the Nerazzurri were in a more comfortable position, Martinez inevitably dropped out.
According to Tuttosport, this reflects Inter prioritizing the league.
Whether it’s been in big matches against teams like Juventus or Napoli, or in “smaller” matches against teams like Frosinone and Udinese, Martinez has started.
That is because Inzaghi wants to give his team the best possible chance to win the Serie A title.
That means putting Martinez out on the pitch as much as possible.
And so far, that has come at the expense of regular starts in the Champions League.