Lautaro Martinez acknowledged that Inter required a “change” with Cristian Chivu taking over from Simone Inzaghi, but he stands by his outspoken comments that contributed to their Scudetto triumph.
While a draw would have been enough to mathematically secure the title against Parma, Inter secured a decisive 2-0 victory. Marcus Thuram continued his impressive scoring streak, netting in his fifth consecutive Serie A match, and Henrikh Mkhitaryan sealed the win with a close-range finish from an assist by Lautaro Martinez.
The summer had been marked by uncertainty following a season that ended without silverware, leading to the appointment of new coach Cristian Chivu ahead of the Club World Cup after Simone Inzaghi’s departure.
The Argentine striker had also voiced his frustrations, critically addressing some teammates, notably Hakan Calhanoglu, and emphasizing that only those committed to the club should remain.
Lautaro Martinez’s Candid Assessment
“What I said at that moment was what I truly felt and had been holding inside. I didn’t plan it; I simply observed certain things that I didn’t approve of, and I voiced my thoughts,” Lautaro Martinez shared with DAZN Italia.
“We are incredibly happy now. It wasn’t easy to start anew after a season where we narrowly missed out on all competitions at the very end, but today, I am immensely proud of this achievement.”
“This was a crucial objective for us. Many might not have considered us favorites, especially given what happened last term, but we dedicated ourselves tirelessly to our work, both on and off the field.”
This marks Inter’s first Scudetto secured at San Siro in 37 years, a notable feat as the fixture list often saw their title-clinching moments occur away from home.
The team also surpassed 100 goals this season, a remarkable offensive output that sets them apart in Italian football.
“For many years, we’ve performed exceptionally well in Italy and Europe, reaching two Champions League Finals in three seasons. We must maintain this trajectory, as the most important aspect after winning is to continuously strive for improvement,” the Argentina international added.
“In such a competitive league, we managed to maintain our focus as a group, and that unity is what truly impresses me and is the most wonderful aspect of this team.”
Chivu was not the initial choice for the coaching position and had limited Serie A coaching experience. However, he was quickly brought in before the Club World Cup and had a profound impact on the team.
“The coach did an outstanding job injecting fresh energy and enthusiasm. After four great years with Simone, perhaps we needed a change of pace after that Champions League Final. Chivu ensured everyone felt included and could even train with a smile, which was incredibly beneficial.”
The season is not yet over for Inter, as they have the opportunity to complete the Double when they face Lazio in the Coppa Italia Final at the Stadio Olimpico on May 13. Lautaro Martinez also remains in contention for the Capocannoniere award.
“There’s always more room in the trophy cabinet! This reflects my mentality and that of Inter, so I am immensely proud to wear this shirt.”
English Translation:
Lautaro Martinez has admitted that Inter needed a “change” with Cristian Chivu replacing Simone Inzaghi but has no regrets about his strong public statements made on the path to winning the Scudetto.
While a single point would have been sufficient against Parma to mathematically clinch the title, Inter surpassed expectations with a 2-0 victory. Marcus Thuram continued his scoring spree, finding the net for the fifth consecutive Serie A game, while Henrikh Mkhitaryan added the second goal from an assist by Lautaro Martinez.
Tensions were evident over the summer as the previous season concluded without any trophies, leading to the appointment of new coach Cristian Chivu ahead of the Club World Cup, following Simone Inzaghi’s departure.
The Argentine striker had also openly criticized some teammates, most notably Hakan Calhanoglu, and demanded that only those truly committed to staying should remain.
Lautaro Martinez Was Direct
“What I said at that moment was what I felt and had been holding inside me. I didn’t plan it; I just saw some things I didn’t like, and I say what I think,” Lautaro Martinez told DAZN Italia.
“We feel so happy now. It wasn’t easy to start again after a season where we lost all the competitions we were in right at the end, but I am very happy today with this achievement.”
“It was a very important objective for us. Perhaps many didn’t see us as favorites considering what happened last term, but we worked so hard on and off the field.”
This marks the first time in 37 years that Inter has secured the Scudetto at San Siro, as the team has frequently found themselves playing away from home when clinching the league title.
The team also scored over 100 goals this season, making them a standout offensive force in Italian football.
“We have been doing very well in Italy and Europe for many years, reaching two Champions League Finals in three years. We must continue along this path, because the most important thing after winning is to keep trying to do better,” added the Argentina international.
“In such a balanced league as this, we managed to keep focused as a group, and this is the most wonderful thing that impresses me – the unity of this team.”
Chivu was not the initial choice for the role and had very little Serie A coaching experience. However, he was brought in quickly before the Club World Cup and made a significant impact.
“The coach did so well bringing fresh energy and enthusiasm. So, after four great years with Simone, perhaps we needed a change of scenery after that Champions League Final. Chivu made sure everyone felt involved and could even train with a smile, which really helped.”
The season is not yet over, as Inter can achieve the Double when they face Lazio in the Coppa Italia Final at the Stadio Olimpico on May 13. Lautaro Martinez also has a chance to become the Capocannoniere (top scorer).
“There’s always more space in the trophy cabinet! This is my mentality and that of Inter, so I am very proud to wear this shirt.”