Inter boss Simone Inzaghi reiterated his faith in Lautaro Martinez after the striker ended his goal drought in a 3-0 win over Cagliari in Serie A.
The result means that Inzaghi’s side remain just one point behind Atalanta after a 1-1 draw with Lazio later on Saturday.
The 27-year-old Argentina striker was on the scoresheet for the defending champions’ 12th win in 17 league outings at Unipol Domus alongside Alessandro Bastoni and Hakan Calhanoglu.
The Inter captain has not scored for his club since November 3 when his goal helped them beat Venezia 1-0.
After Bastoni broke the deadlock in the 53rd minute, Martinez doubled their advantage 18 minutes later when he volleyed home from Nicolo Barella’s assist to snap his goalless run.
“Naturally, this situation weighed on him, although we asked him to relax and he gave the team a lot with his work,” Inzaghi told DAZN after the game.
“Lautaro will never be a problem for Inter, just an asset.”
This moment >>>#forzinter #CagliariInter pic.twitter.com/aZwbAZvRVI
— Inter (@inter_n) December 28, 2024
It was also Martinez’s 10th goal in 10 league games against Cagliari.
The result means that Inter are now unbeaten in 12 league matches and have silverware in their sights when they face Atalanta in the Italian Super Cup semi-final on January 2.
Inzaghi will be hoping to add another Super Cup to the club’s 20th Scudetto which he won last season.
“This exciting 2024 ended with a 20th Scudetto that will unite our fans forever, but now we head to Saudi Arabia for the Super Cup hoping to win it for the fourth consecutive year.”
The winner of the clash will face either Juventus or AC Milan for the title in the final in Riyadh on January 6.
“We know we are Inter, we have intentions and it is right to announce them,” Inzaghi said.
“It takes a lot of sacrifice. In January and February we have to play continuously, but I’m lucky that the players are ready to give their all, whether it’s for 95 minutes or five minutes, and that’s important,” the Inter boss added.
