Inter boss Simone Inzaghi reaffirmed his faith in Lautaro Martinez after the striker ended his goal drought in their 3-0 win against Cagliari in the Serie A.
The result meant that Inzaghi’s side are only one point behind Atalanta with a game in hand after the leaders were held to a 1-1 draw by Lazio later on Saturday.
The 27-year-old Argentina striker was on the scoresheet along with Alessandro Bastoni and Hakan Calhanoglu at Unipol Domus for the defending champions’ 12th win in 17 league outings.
The Inter skipper had not scored for his club since 3 November when his goal helped them beat Venezia 1-0.
After Bastoni broke the deadlock in the 53rd minute, Martinez doubled their advantage 18 minutes later when he volleyed home from Nicolo Barella’s assist to snap his goalless run.
“Naturally, this situation was weighing on him, though we told him to relax and that he continued to give the team so much with his work,” Inzaghi told DAZN after the game.
“Lautaro will never be a problem for Inter, only a resource.”
This moment >>>#ForzaInter #CagliariInter pic.twitter.com/aZwbAZvRVI
— Inter (@Inter_en) December 28, 2024
It was also Martínez’s 10th goal in 10 league appearances against Cagliari.
The result meant that Inter are unbeaten in 12 league matches now and they have silverware in their sight as they face Atalanta in the semi-finals of the Italian Super Cup on 2 January.
Inzaghi will hope to add another Super Cup to the club’s 20th Scudetto that he won last season.
“This exciting 2024 ended with the 20th Scudetto that will forever unite us with the fans, but now we go to Saudi Arabia for the Super Cup hoping to win it for the fourth year in a row.”
The winner of clash will face either Juventus or AC Milan for the title in the final in Riyadh on 6 January.
“We know that we are Inter, we have objectives, and it is only right to declare them,” Inzaghi said.
“It takes a lot of sacrifice. January and February will have us playing constantly, but I am fortunate to have players ready to give their all, whether for 95 minutes or five, and that is important,” the Inter boss added.
