Inter Milan is on a rough patch, having gone four games without a win – three losses and a draw that felt like a win against Bayern in the Champions League quarterfinals second leg. Their next challenge is a trip to Barcelona for the first leg of the semifinals. Lautaro Martínez, the Inter captain, is drawing inspiration from the 2010 team that José Mourinho led to the Champions League title after beating Barcelona in the semis and then Bayern 2-0 in the final at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Martínez is determined to repeat that feat. “We want to play another Champions League final,” he said ahead of the Barcelona match. The team is frustrated with their recent results after a strong season so far. “We’ve had some bad games lately, but we’re talking about it in the locker room. We’re ready for a big game against a strong team like Barcelona. We’ve shown we can play in big stadiums against top teams.”
Yamal and Messi
When asked about Lamine Yamal’s comparisons to Messi, Martínez kept his response straightforward. “Messi can’t be compared to anyone.” He acknowledged Yamal’s talent and achievements. “Yamal is a great player, we’ve seen him play, and he has a bright future ahead.”
Martínez isn’t thinking about individual awards like the Ballon d’Or. “I want to win and get back to the final,” he stated. His focus is on the team. “Individual awards come from team effort. I think about the group and doing what’s best for Inter, making our fans and families happy.”