Inzaghi on Lautaro Martinez injury and Inter exit

Simone Inzaghi found the Coppa Italia elimination in extra time ‘galling’ after Bologna staged a rapid comeback and confirms Lautaro Martinez’s injury ‘needs to be evaluated.’

The Nerazzurri had won this trophy for two years running and were looking for the hat-trick, even if Lautaro Martinez saw his penalty saved, forcing them to extra time.

Carlos Augusto had put them ahead by nodding in a corner, but Bologna turned it around with two Joshua Zirkzee assists in four minutes for Sam Beukema and Dan Ndoye.

“It’s disappointing, as we had won the Coppa for two years in a row and especially deserved to win after a game like this. We know this is football,” Inzaghi told Sport Mediaset.

“Our only problem was the final 15 minutes of extra time. We were not used to losing a lead and it was especially galling after doing so well for over 90 minutes. The lads wanted to reach the quarter-final and so did the fans.”

There could be even worse news for Inter, because Lautaro Martinez limped off in extra time clutching the top of his left thigh.

He was visibly hobbling and on the bench pulled a blanket over his head to avoid the cameras.

“It will be evaluated, we hope it was nothing serious. The medical staff are relatively relaxed, but we need to evaluate it considering there is another game in two and a half days.”

The Argentine was only playing because Alexis Sanchez is also injured, so he partnered Marko Arnautovic. Inzaghi was asked how the ex-Bologna striker did this evening.

“I liked him, he did what he needed to and what we had asked of him. Clearly, he was not fortunate in front of goal, but he held the ball up well and got into the right positions.”

Stefano Sensi came on and perhaps should’ve chased down Ndoye on the second goal, but looked rusty.

“I think many players would struggle keeping up with Ndoye. On that goal, we should not have let Zirkzee get away, I think 90 per cent of Serie A players chasing down Ndoye would’ve struggled.”

Zirkzee came off the bench and really changed the game for Bologna with a pair of inspired assists.

“He is a very good player who continues to put in strong performances. I saw the footage of the back-heel flick on the first goal, he also weighted the pass really well on the second.”