Argentina Assistant Coach Declares: ‘We’re Very Happy’ With Inter Milan Captain | OneFootball

Argentina assistant coach Walter Samuel says that the Albiceleste staff are “very happy” with the performances of Inter Milan captain Lautaro Martinez.

Speaking in a press conference during the Copa America, as reported by FCInterNews, the legendary former Nerazzurri and Roma defender praised the 26-year-old striker.

Matrtinez is currently leading the scoring charts at the Copa America.

The Inter captain bagged a brace in Saturday evening’s group stage match between Argentina and Peru.

That takes Martinez’s goal tally to four after just three matches.

Now, the 26-year-old will head into the knockout rounds with his national team.

However, somewhat surprisingly, there is no guarantee that Martinez will be in the starting eleven for Argentina throughout the knockouts.

The Inter captain did not start in either of the Albiceleste’s first two group stage. Rather, it was Manchester City striker Julian Alvarez who led the line from the first minute in those two matches.

Alvarez provides Martinez with stiff competition to start in attack.

That has been the case ever since the World Cup in Qatar. Martinez had gone into that tournament as the undoubted first-choice starter for Argetnine.

However, poor form at the World Cup led to Alvarez taking over the starting spot.

Argentina Assistant Coach Walter Samuel: “We’re All Very Happy With Lautaro Martinez”

Nevertheless, there is little doubt that Martinez will play a role, whether or not he starts.

The Nerazzurri captain had done so at the World Cup.

Even while he did not start a match during the knockouts in Qatar, Martinez came off the bench to score the decisive penalty in a shootout against the Netherlands.

And in the final against France, Martinez played a key role in Lionel Messi’s stoppage time goal.

And both from the bench and from the start, Martinez has been decisive at the Copa America so far.

Argentina assistant coach Samuel said that “We have full confidence in all 26 players in the squad.

“Lautaro Martinez is doing very well,” the former defender continued.

“We’re all very happy with him.”