Martinez scored the winner at Anfield with a stunning strike on the hour-mark but it wasn't enough for Inter as Liverpool went through to the next round courtesy of a 2-1 aggregate win.
Follow Us
Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez felt that his side did what they “wanted to do” and “showed character” after being knocked out of the Champions League last-16 stage by Liverpool. The Serie A champions won the second leg fixture at Anfield courtesy of Lautaro Martinez’ stunning strike but were made to pay for their 2-0 loss in the first leg fixture at San Siro and therefore Liverpool are through to the last-8 stage with a 2-1 aggregate victory.
? | GRAZIE RAGAZZI
? An epic performance and victory at Anfield but it’s not enough as we bow out of the #UCL
? So close to a comeback but what a rollercoaster it was ⚡️#LiverpoolInter 0⃣-1⃣
⚽️ 61 – #Lautaro#FORZAINTER ⚫️? pic.twitter.com/wYS5ConKvm— Inter ??? (@Inter_en) March 8, 2022
Simone Inzaghi’s side gave a spirited performance at Anfield and took the lead on the hour-mark but Alexis Sanchez was sent off a few minutes later, giving a man-advantage to the Reds and the hosts got their job done. The result ends Liverpool’s 100 percent Champions League record, an unbeaten run that extends back to last year for Jurgen Klopp’s side. Inter became the first Italian side to win at Anfield, but it wasn’t enough to reach the champions League quarter-finals.
“We did what we wanted to, we showed character, the desire to go through and when we took the lead in a difficult arena with so much enthusiasm, it’s a pity to then go down to 10 men, because these are the things that can make the difference,” Lautaro Martinez told Sky Sport Italia.
“We have to turn the page straight away and try to look forward. We are out of the Champions League, we have the Coppa Italia, we have Serie A and must try to do our best, learn from these mistakes and try to keep improving.”
Martinez has been in stunning form of late having scored four goals in his last two games. The Argentine footballer ended his 10-match goal drought with a hat-trick against Salernitana on Friday. Meanwhile it was his first Champions League goal since November 2020 after failing to find the net in the first seven games this season.
“It was important for me to get back to the scoresheet. I want to give everything for this club, my teammates who gave me so much.
“We again proved that we are a good team, but we need to improve in the details. The same thing happened in Madrid and it’s just too difficult at this level to play when down to 10 men.”
He was referring to the Nicolò Barella dismissal against Real Madrid in the group phase, which is why the midfielder was suspended for both legs in the Round of 16.
Inter will next face Tirino on Sunday, aiming to get back to the summit of the Serie A standings. Inzaghi’s side are currently placed second in the standings with 58 points from 27 games, just one point behind leaders AC Milan who have played a game more.
