Lautaro Martinez reveals what he told Marko Arnautovic to reassure him after those Inter misses and has some regrets of his own against Atletico Madrid. ‘I can always do better when I don’t score.’
The Nerazzurri found it very difficult to break Diego Simeone’s side down at San Siro in the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16.
“It was a fundamental match for us this evening, we needed to get a positive result. I think we could’ve scored more goals, but it is important to have a lead,” Lautaro Martinez told Sky Sport Italia.
There were several big chances, above all a pair of real sitters from Arnautovic, but the Austrian did eventually get the goal on the rebound from a Jan Oblak save on Lautaro Martinez.
What did the striker say to Arnautovic after that miss from six yards?
“Marko is a very experienced player with a great career, I am the captain and just reassured him. I too have had moments like this, I know it is not easy, but all the hard work he did in training paid off.”
Marcus Thuram had started the match and went off at half-time with a muscular issue in his thigh, so Arnautovic came on with very different characteristics.
“I try to adapt to my strike partner, as I have changed many teammates over the years at Inter, but I try to learn from them all and get along with everyone.”
Lautaro Martinez did not find the net this evening and admits he has regrets that the victory was not more than 1-0 against Atletico Madrid.
“I wanted to hit it first time, but the ball was a bit slow and was stuck on my left foot. I thought of the goal I scored against Verona, so I tried to control it and send the defender to ground. It was a big chance, I feel bad for missing it.
“I can always do better when I don’t score.”
#ChampionsLeague | #InterAtleticoMadrid, #Lautaro #Martinez: "Sull’azione del gol ho scelto di tirare, poi per fortuna #Arnautovic ha segnato" 👉 https://t.co/N8KyWjN6Lc pic.twitter.com/kLeDyoGXZb
— Gianluca Di Marzio (@DiMarzio) February 20, 2024