Take notice, Manchester City: Lautaro Martinez has recently shown greater performance in larger games.
Martinez scored twice as the Nerazzurri completed a 2-1 comeback victory against Fiorentina to defend the Italian Cup championship on Wednesday. Martinez previously scored crucial goals against Benfica and city rival AC Milan to clinch Inter Milan a position in the Champions League final.
After defeating Milan in the Italian Super Cup in January, in which Martinez also scored, it is Inter's second trophy of the year.
After a few games to wrap up Serie A, Martinez and Inter will be going for one more championship on June 10 in Istanbul when they take on City in the Champions League final.
Martinez, who also had a significant part in Inter's Serie A championship in 2021, stated, “In all honesty, I am moved because for a couple of years we have been bringing trophies to this great club and we've got to continue this way.” I want to continue helping Inter because that's what counts.
Martinez, who also contributed to Argentina's World Cup victory in December, now has a career-high 27 goals for Inter this season in all competitions. In addition, he is the only player to have participated in all 54 of Inter's games this year.
The game at the Stadio Olimpico got underway quickly as Nicolas Gonzalez gave Fiorentina the lead after Inter's defense made a mistake. Gonzalez scored at the far post after Gonzalez allowed Jonathan Ikone's cross to glide over the box.
Martinez then seized control to give Inter the lead just before halftime.
First, Martinez scored his 100th goal for Inter with an angled effort into the far corner after Marcelo Brozovic's superbly placed through ball set up the equalizer. A pass from Nicolo Barella was then redirected in by Martinez with an acrobatic volley.
When Edin Dzeko was set up by Martinez with only the goalie to beat, he almost scored another goal, but Dzeko's effort flew high over the crossbar.
On June 7, Fiorentina and West Ham will face off in the Europa League championship game.
“We were hoping for a different result, but this will serve as experience and preparation for what to expect on a mental level and how to handle the match for the Conference League final,” stated Fiorentina coach Vincenzo Italiano.
Inter has already won nine Italian Cup championships, while Nerazzurri coach Simone Inzaghi has now triumphed in seven of his eight managerial finals.
The boys played hard to remain in the game despite our terrible start and incorrect strategy, which is unusual for us, remarked Inzaghi. “The team is getting better every game,”
Inter and Fiorentina have earned a spot in the enlarged Italian Super Cup, which will include four clubs and will include Serie A winner Napoli and the league's runner-up, by making it to the final and reaching it.
