We had lost some of our determination and character lately: Lautaro Martinez

Martinez scored a hat-trick to help his side take all three points against Salernitana and move to the summit of the Serie A standings.

Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez; Credit: Twitter/@Inter_en
By Sreejith C R | Mar 5, 2022 | 3 Min Read follow icon Follow Us

Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez was the most relieved and happiest man after his side’s 5-0 win over Salernitana in the Serie A fixture at San Siro on Friday. Before the start of the match, the Argentine footballer was going through a goal-drought having not found the back of the net in 10 games. However, he ended his goal-drought in style by netting a hat-trick against the bottom-placed side to help Inter to the summit of the league standings.  Meanwhile Inter were also going through a slump having not won any of their last five games in all competitions.

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Simone Inzaghi’s side desperately needed a convincing win like this to get back their confidence and move forward. “We were missing a victory, we were missing goals, today we got five and are very happy,” the Argentina international told Sky Sport Italia.

“On a personal note, it has been a difficult period, because strikers live for goals. The team needs goals. I always try to give my best, but sometimes you can miss the easiest chances and yet fire it into the top corner.

“I celebrated with determination and rage, because we are going towards an important game and we needed to prove a lot this evening. We had lost some of our determination and character lately, Salernitana were very aggressive, and we played well.

“I want to thank the fans who are always by our side.”

Martinez started the game brightly as he was making good forward runs and getting into goal-scoring positions. His first two goals were scored courtesy of Nicolo Barella’s assists. The Italian midfielder played a nice little through ball to Martinez inside the box and the 24-year-old made no mistake as slotted home past Luigi sepe into the far bottom corner on 22 minutes. 

Martinez scored his second of the night on 40 minutes, when he once again timed his run to perfection to get on the end of Barella’s pass down the centre and slotted home into the same far bottom corner. He completed his hat-trick in the 56th minute by sliding home from Edin Bzeko’s low cross from the right. It was his 14th Serie A goal of the campaign.

Going 10 games without a goal can be hard for a striker but Martinez is back with a bang and now will be looking to add to his tally and help his side to successfully defend their league title in the future. 

“When I am in bed with my wife, I talk a lot, as I am sad when I can’t help the team. I talked to her, my friends and my family in Argentina. I want to dedicate these three goals to my daughter, who just turned one and is at home, hopefully asleep right now!”

He ran to hug coach Simone Inzaghi on the touchline and Inter really needed this confidence booster ahead of the Champions League Round of 16 against Liverpool, having lost the first leg 2-0.

“Inzaghi always had faith in me, he fights with us from the touchline, is always by our side. We go to Liverpool with determination, to play our game and try to go forward in the competition.”





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