Spain Goalkeeper Expects Coppa Italia Quarter-Final Inter Milan Vs Lazio To Be Tough: “A Hard-Fought Game” | OneFootball

Josep Martinez addressed the press in the build-up to tonight’s Coppa Italia quarter-final clash between Inter Milan and Lazio.

Speaking to InterTV via FCInterNews, the Spaniard admitted he expects Marco Baroni’s side to give his team a run for their money.

Inter trounced Lazio 6-0 in Serie A earlier this season.

However, Simone Inzaghi’s charges have recently struggled for conviction, most recently dispatching Genoa 1-0.

Summer signing Josep Martinez made his Serie A debut against his former club and registered a clean sheet.

With Yann Sommer still recovering from thumb surgery, he’ll be between the sticks this evening.

But the 26-year-old doesn’t see Inter thrashing Lazio again as they fight for a place in the semi-finals.

Josep Martinez Expects Hard-Fought Coppa Italia Quarter-Final Tie Between Inter Milan & Lazio

Despite Inter’s formidable home form against Lazio, they’ve stuttered against this opposition in the Coppa Italia.

Indeed, the visitors have won back-to-back cup ties at Giuseppe Meazza on this ground, most recently in 2018/19.

GENOA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 11: Josep Martinez of Genoa looks on during a warm-up session prior to kick-off in the Serie A TIM match between Genoa CFC and Atalanta BC – Serie A TIM at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on February 11, 2024 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Simone Arveda/Getty Images)

Therefore, Martinez calls for caution.

“I expect a very hard-fought match against a very hungry team,” Martinez stated.

“It definitely won’t be like the last time we faced them, where everything went wrong for them and everything went right for us.

“We’re up against a strong team, it will be a tough game and a very important one for us.”

Despite his lengthy spell on the fringes, Martinez remains optimistic about his long-term prospects at Meazza.

“I feel good,” he added. “I’m really proud to be here with this great family.

“I try to learn as much as possible from all my teammates and do my best to show that I’m ready to help the team.”

Inter will be out to protect an impressive 16-game unbeaten home run as Simone Inzaghi aims to beat his former employers again.