Lautaro Martinez targets Serie A title and Coppa Italia upon Inter return
Lautaro Martinez has declared his readiness to lead Inter Milan's charge for the Serie A title and Coppa Italia as he prepares to return from injury. The club captain, speaking to DAZN, confirmed he will start against Roma this weekend after missing seven matches with a calf problem sustained in the Europa League clash against Bodo/Glimt.
Martinez, who remains Serie A's top scorer this season, dismissed the idea that his absence was solely responsible for a recent dip in the team's form. He emphasized the need for a collective shift in attitude to secure the two remaining trophies. The Argentine stressed the importance of unity, relaxation, and enjoyment, crediting that approach for the club's prior successes.
His return is a significant boost for Inter, who maintain a lead at the summit of Serie A. Martinez's goals have been crucial this campaign, and his leadership will be vital in the final stretch. The striker's comments were framed around refocusing the squad after a disappointing period that included their Champions League exit.
Martinez also briefly addressed the disappointment within the Italian national team setup, following their failure to qualify for the World Cup. Several of his Inter teammates were involved in the playoff loss to North Macedonia. He called for support for those players but insisted the immediate priority must be switching focus back to Inter's objectives.
The 24-year-old's fitness and form will be paramount as Simone Inzaghi's side navigates the run-in. Inter's schedule includes a Coppa Italia semi-final second leg against AC Milan, where they hold a 2-0 aggregate lead, and a tight Serie A title race. Martinez's ability to immediately recapture his pre-injury scoring touch could prove decisive.
Having joined Inter from Racing Club in 2018, Martinez has developed into one of Europe's most lethal forwards and a cornerstone of the project. His new status as captain, following the summer departure of key players, adds another layer of responsibility to his role. The club will rely on his experience from the 2021 Scudetto-winning season to guide the younger members of the squad.
With the transfer window closed, Martinez's return is effectively Inter's major mid-season reinforcement. His presence alleviates pressure on the attacking line and allows Inzaghi to revert to his preferred systems. The coming weeks will test whether the squad can follow their captain's directive to change gear and secure the silverware their season's performance merits.
