By Graham Ruthven
It wasn’t till full time of a forwards and backwards 2-2 draw in opposition to Bayern Munich at San Siro that Inter Milan may very well be sure of their place within the Champions League semi-finals, however Lautaro Martínez’s purpose within the first leg was the second that introduced the Nerazzurri as true European contenders.
From the beginning of the transfer to Martínez firing excessive into the Bayern internet, it took Inter a matter of seconds to showcase simply how harmful they are often. It was an attacking sequence which noticed the Serie A outfit surge down the left aspect earlier than Marcus Thuram arrange Martínez contained in the field with a deft backheel flick.
This was Martinez’s seventh purpose on this season’s Champions League, and the Argentine adopted it up by scoring his eighth of the season within the second leg in opposition to Bayern Munich. Beforehand maligned for his lack of conviction in entrance of purpose when it mattered most, Martínez is proving his price as probably the greatest strikers within the recreation.
In fact, many in Italy would argue Martínez has been working at this stage for years. The Inter ahead has registered 20 targets or extra in every of the final three Serie A campaigns. This season, he has discovered the again of the online 12 instances within the league, however 21 targets to his title in all competitions, together with the aforementioned eight within the Champions League.
It’s in Europe the place Martínez has made himself the image of Inzaghi’s double-chasing outfit. After scoring in opposition to Bayern Munich, the 27-year-old stood atop the promoting hoardings at San Siro, arms outstretched with a jubilant Curva Nord as his backdrop. This was the picture of a participant on the peak of his powers.
Martínez’s greatest season thus far got here in 2022/23 when he cast a partnership with Romelu Lukaku. Nevertheless, Lukaku doesn’t have the technical subtlety of Thuram whereas Martínez has added completely different dimensions to his personal recreation over the previous couple of seasons. His all-round contribution is now higher than ever.
Not solely is Martínez producing game-winning targets, he’s averaging 1.1 key passes per 90 minutes. Solely Nicolo Barella is averaging extra by way of balls per match than the Argentine ahead. Martínez can also be up there with regards to his dribbling numbers – as soon as once more, solely Barella is forward of him for this metric.
When Inter get transferring in fast transition, they’re a pressure of nature. Everybody in Inzaghi’s workforce is aware of their function. There’s a familiarity between the gamers on the pitch as a result of they’ve been moulded over a number of seasons. Martínez and Thuram are essentially the most formidable entrance two in European soccer as a result of they know one another’s each motion.
Whereas this may come collectively as essentially the most particular season in Inter’s historical past for the reason that days of José Mourinho, it may additionally crumble for Inzaghi’s workforce. Sunday’s defeat to Bologna handed the benefit within the Scudetto race to Antonio Conte’s Napoli who now have a extra beneficial run-in.
Tactically, Barcelona may very well be a great match-up for Inter who will look to take advantage of the area in behind the Catalans’ excessive line of defense. Bayern Munich gave the Nerazzurri the same weak spot to focus on and had been made to pay for it as Inter scored 4 targets over two legs. Barca may endure in the identical manner.
On the flip aspect, Barca have the attacking firepower to blow away any opponent. Lamine Yamal is one of the best younger attacker on the earth whereas Robert Lewandowski is having fun with probably the greatest goalscoring campaigns of his total profession. Inter gained’t be capable to loosen up at any second of their semi-final tie.
For Martínez, although, this may very well be the defining stretch of his profession thus far. Regardless of placing up constant numbers for a lot of the final decade, the Argentine has been ignored as an elite stage ahead. Martinez deserves to be talked about alongside the likes of Lewandowski, Harry Kane, Karim Benzema, Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé.
Martínez has scored in 5 of Inter’s final six matches within the Champions League. Ever since narrowly shedding to Manchester Metropolis within the competitors’s closing two seasons in the past, the Nerazzurri have positioned an emphasis on Europe within the perception that Inzaghi has set them up for an additional triumph on the continent.
Inter have trailed for simply 11 minutes on this season’s Champions League. They’ve the bottom targets conceded per match ratio (0.4) of any workforce within the competitors and are usually the strongest defensive unit in Europe. Martínez, nonetheless, is the participant who has repeatedly delivered the decisive moments to get Inter over the road. European glory can be his particular person triumph.
(Cowl picture from IMAGO)
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