‘People ready to attack Inter,’ say Lautaro Martinez and Bastoni | OneFootball

Lautaro Martinez and Alessandro Bastoni hit back at critics who are ‘waiting to attack’ Inter the moment they slip up, and hail Francesco Pio Esposito’s first Serie A goal.

The pressure was on the Nerazzurri and it was far from easy against a Cagliari side that had won its last two Serie A games.

Lautaro Martinez made his return to the starting XI after a back injury and made an immediate impact by nodding in the opener.

Hakan Calhanoglu and Henrikh Mkhitaryan hit the woodwork, while Davide Frattesi was denied by a goal-line clearance, but Francesco Pio Esposito made sure by turning in Federico Dimarco’s pull-back for his first ever Serie A goal.

Inter celebrate on Lautaro Martinez comeback

CAGLIARI, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 27: Lautaro Martinez of Inter celebrates scoring the opening goal with a teammate during the Serie A match between Cagliari Calcio and FC Internazionale at Stadio Sant’Elia on September 27, 2025 in Cagliari, Italy. (Photo by Enrico Locci/Getty Images)

“Coming here is always difficult, the pitch is small and the crowd makes its presence felt, but we had the right attitude from the start and I think we are the deserved winners,” Lautaro Martinez told Sky Sport Italia.

“We created a lot of chances and with a great deal of quality we scored the second goal to secure the result.”

The Argentina international is now the fifth all time Serie A top scorer in the Inter jersey with 117 goals, surpassing Sandro Mazzola’s 116.

“We’ve been up there fighting to the end for every tournament for years now, despite the fact people are always ready to attack us. It is very important that we keep the pressure on, as every competition is crucial for us.”

In a curious twist, Esposito scored against his brother Sebastiano’s team, so they were able to have an emotional hug after the final whistle.

“We’ve known him since he was in the youth team and trained with us,” explained Lautaro Martinez.

“He always has the right mentality, wants to improve, listens to advice, and he has to keep going this way. He’s intelligent, so we’re sure he will do well for Inter and for Italian football, it’s important not to put too much pressure on him. We’re glad he stayed with us.”

CAGLIARI, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 27: Francesco Esposito of Inter celebrates his goal 0-2 with the team mates during the Serie A match between Cagliari Calcio and FC Internazionale at Stadio Sant’Elia on September 27, 2025 in Cagliari, Italy. (Photo by Enrico Locci/Getty Images)

Bastoni was named Serie A Man of the Match this evening and insisted that the criticism of Inter has been overblown so far this season.

“The attitude was always right, I said that even after conceding four goals against Juventus, which was one of our best performances in Turin in recent years,” Bastoni told Sky Sport Italia.

“Luck was on our side this evening, if their header on that corner had hit the post and gone in instead of out, we’d be here talking about a totally different result, despite the overall performance.

“I am proud of these lads, because every time we slip up, people are ready to attack us and we need to be ready.”

Napoli are the only team with a 100 per cent record after four Serie A rounds, but Juventus slipped up with two consecutive 1-1 draws against Verona and Atalanta.

“I have great faith in this side. The other teams have strengthened, but we continue to have confidence that we’ll be up there.”

Bastoni was also asked about the first goal of 20-year-old Pio Esposito, who is his teammate both for Inter and Italy.

“We know what kind of a lad he is off the field and we’re really glad he is doing so well, because we need strong Italian players coming through.”