Lautaro Martinez return changes Inter’s push for the double | OneFootball

Captain Lautaro Martinez faces Lazio in the Coppa Italia final tonight at 21:00, intent on steering Inter Milan to a league and cup double, days after he struck against the same opponents in a 3-0 Serie A win.

“We have different personalities and that is why we get on. He always jokes, which brings balance when the adrenaline is high,” he said on Sky.

Ten days ago at San Siro, an hour after Inter were officially crowned champions, Martinez told the press he was giving them a gift. He rarely courts microphones, yet remains Inter’s standout performer and has worn the armband for three years.

Barring surprises, he should finish as Serie A’s top scorer for the second time despite only 17 goals so far. A calf injury in the 1-3 first leg against Bodö/Glimt on 18 February forced him off around the hour at 1-1, and the Norwegians netted again within a minute. They then won 2-1 in Milan on 24 February, Inter’s sole major slip this season.

Inter dipped without him, although rivals failed to apply real pressure. Returning in bursts, he still produced three goals and two assists in 144 minutes across three cameos.

Cristian Chivu managed his workload carefully, mindful of a World Cup to defend with Argentina in a month, and Martinez should arrive in ideal shape. Since Qatar he has won two league titles, two Italian Super Cups and two domestic cups, and lost the 2023 and 2025 Champions League finals.

Against Lazio tonight he can add to that haul with Marcus Thuram alongside him. In Saturday’s win, Thuram teed him up for his 174th Inter goal, placing him third in the club’s scoring list behind Alessandro Altobelli on 209 and Giuseppe Meazza on 284.

Source: L'Équipe