Lautaro: "A challenging and great game of football to come, we're staying focused' | OneFootball

Inter gear up for the final of the 2025/26 Coppa Italia: the Nerazzurri will compete for the trophy against Lazio in the final on Wednesday, 13 May at 21:00 CEST at the Stadio Olimpico.

On the eve of the match, Inter captain Lautaro Martínez answered journalists’ questions in the press conference.

You have the chance to make this season even more special. What will be the most important thing tomorrow night? Do you anticipate it will be different compared to Saturday? “Yes, we definitely expect a different match compared to Saturday. They are a very well-organised tactical side, so it will be a difficult game because they have excellent players. As well as that, it’s a final and there’s a trophy at stake: we have to be ready for what awaits us. The stadium will be full, which will be an extra boost for us, and it should be a great game.” What is a greater source of motivation for you: the chance to make history with the double, or to make up for last season?

“For us, it’s about the hunger to win trophies, because every year we want to try to win everything or at least go as far as possible in every competition. We now have the chance to play this final and bring home a trophy we haven’t won in three years, so our only focus is on that.” You had quite a prolonged injury. The team struggled a bit to win and score without you, then after your return, things were back on track. How important was it for you to see the team respond in your absence, and how proud are you of your teammates? “The team was already playing at a good level before that. My absence doesn’t determine a lack of results; it’s normal to go through dips during the season, and it happens to everyone. The important thing was to get back on track quickly, and we did so at the right moment, managing to win the Scudetto, which was one of our objectives. Now we want a second trophy.”

You’re not someone who speaks a lot, but this season started with your statements at the Club World Cup. Could speaking openly and discussing things among yourselves have been the secret to this season’s success?

“We always have discussions. In a team, you have twenty-five different people, and everyone has their own way of thinking. Anyone who’s experienced a dressing room like the coach has knows that. He brought fresh energy straight away, and we followed him. He has a strong personality, but he also knows how to make us laugh and keep things calm so we can work well. At Inter, what matters is winning and everyone working towards the same goal.”

How difficult is it to keep the same level of focus a week after winning the Scudetto and just a few days before the celebration against Verona? “We’re professionals, we respect the league, and we respect Inter. We have to stay true to ourselves and keep working hard until the end. We still have two games, as well as tomorrow’s final. Saturday proved that we don’t stop working, because we always want to keep improving as a team.”

Chivu has brought a modern style of play. Do you feel you’ve grown even more and achieved your full potential? “I’ve grown a lot, and I’m pleased with it, even though I had this calf issue that set me back a bit. I worked very hard to bounce back, even if I had another injury afterwards. I’m really happy with the season so far, happy with the team and the coach. There were doubts at the beginning, but he made things clear straight away, we listened to him, and everything has gone really well.”