Published: 11:47, December 29, 2024
Inzaghi celebrates Cagliari victory as Martinez's goal drought ends
By Reuters
Inter Milan's Italian head coach Simone Inzaghi (third right) looks on at the end of the Italian Serie A football match between Inter Milan and Como at the San Siro Stadium in Milan on Dec 23, 2024. (PHOTO / AFP)

CAGLIARI, Italy - Inter coach Simone Inzaghi reaffirmed his faith in striker Lautaro Martinez after he ended his goal drought in Saturday's 3-0 win over Cagliari that kept the Nerazzurri at the top of Serie A.

Inter's skipper had not scored for his club since Nov 3 in a 1-0 win over Venezia.

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But the Argentine got back on the scoresheet in the 71st minute on Saturday with a volley to put his team two up.

Inzaghi praised Martinez's resilience despite his recent struggles.

Inter Milan's Lautaro Martinez (center) challenges for the ball during the Serie A soccer match between Cagliari Calcio and Inter Milan at the Unipol Domus stadium in Cagliari, Italy, Dec 28, 2024. (PHOTO / AP)

"Naturally, this situation was weighing on him, though we told him to relax and that he continued to give the team so much with his work. Lautaro (Martinez) will never be a problem for Inter, only a resource," Inzaghi told DAZN streaming service.

Alessandro Bastoni's header and Hakan Calhanoglu's penalty sealed Inter's fifth consecutive away win. Inzaghi praised his side's hard work from set-pieces and the contributions of players such as Federico Dimarco, Calhanoglu and Kristjan Asllani.

READ MORE: Atalanta's winning streak ends in 1-1 draw at Lazio

"At the end of the first half, we congratulated the team on their performance and knew we just had to keep going against a tenacious Cagliari side," Inzaghi added.

The manager was upbeat as he set his sights on Inter's fourth consecutive Supercoppa title and a 21st Scudetto after lifting the title last season.

Inter Milan's Hakan Çalhanoglu scores his side's third goal by penalty during the Serie A soccer match between Cagliari Calcio and Inter Milan at the Unipol Domus stadium in Cagliari, Italy, Dec 28, 2024. (PHOTO / AP) 

"This exciting 2024 ends with the 20th Scudetto that will forever unite us with the fans and directors, but now we go to Saudi Arabia for the Supercoppa hoping to win it for the fourth year in a row."

Inter are level in the league on 40 points with Atalanta, who play at Lazio later on Saturday.

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The two sides will also meet in the semi-finals of the Supercoppa Italiana in Saudi Arabia on Jan 2, with the winner advancing to face either Juventus or Milan.

"We know that we are Inter, we have objectives and it is only right to declare them. It takes a lot of sacrifice, January and February will have us playing constantly, but I am fortunate to have players ready to give their all, whether for 95 minutes or five, and that is important," Inzaghi added.