Lautaro Martinez feels Inter ‘ultimately deserved the victory’ away to RB Salzburg to secure qualification from ‘a very difficult Champions League group’ with two games to spare.
The Austrians had been frustrating at San Siro, eventually capitulating 2-1 to a Hakan Calhanoglu penalty, and proved every bit as tough on their own turf.
It was only in the final minutes when substitute Nicolò Barella saw his shot strike the hand of Mads Bistrup that Lautaro Martinez was given the opportunity to convert from the spot.
“I am very happy because we were in an extremely difficult group. We did our job against a great team that caused us problems,” Lautaro Martinez told Amazon Prime Italia.
“We must always expect them to be this tough. They pressed us hard in the first half, then we pushed forward and ultimately deserved the victory.”
Lautaro Martinez has become much more clinical from the penalty spot than he used to be earlier in his career.
“You can train only to a degree, but you need a bit of luck as well. After training, I stay behind to take set plays with Calhanoglu, Barella, Mkhitaryan, all those who feel like doing that.
“Scoring a goal in the Champions League is always special, so I am happy.”
Both Inter and Real Sociedad have now qualified for the Round of 16, leaving RB Salzburg in third place, but there will be a head-to-head for top spot at San Siro.
The group winners will in theory have an easier draw in the knockout stages.
Considering they reached the Final last season, Inter have really stepped up their European performances under Simone Inzaghi.
“There are still two games to go, so we’ll see where we end up. We have been growing over the last three years, the team is maturing and we must continue like this.”