Inter Milan, led by their high-scoring captain and forward from Argentina Lautaro Martínez, are without a doubt the best team in the Italian Serie A this season, and I Nerazzurri showed just that when they were hosted by ACF Fiorentina at the latter’s home of Stadio Artemio Franchi last night. Thanks to an early goal by the 26-year-old Bahía Blanca-born striker Lautaro Martínez, Inter Milan managed to overcome their visitors by the slightest of margin of 1-0, and the 17th league victory by Inter Milan this season allowed them to leapfrog rivals Juventus to the first spot of the Spanish top-flight football table.
Lautaro Martínez’s Header the Difference Between Inter and Fiorentina
Lautaro Martínez gave his Inter Milan team an early breakthrough in the game against the home team at Stadio Artemio Franchi, when he rose to the highest to score a header for his 22nd goal of the 2023/2024 Season. The goal came when Kristjan Asllani’s corner set piece delivery accurately found his club skipper Lautaro Martínez, whose heading effort was so tough that it beat Pietro Terracciano at the top left corner.
Inter Milan would enjoy that 1-0 lead for a large part of this Italian Serie A clash, until a moment almost ruined their day. Yann Sommer, Inter’s new starting goalkeeper in 2023/2024, committed a foul on M’Bala Nzola inside the penalty box, prompting the referee to award a penalty to the home team, in which Nicolás González’s poor effort was firmly saved by the Switzerland shot stopper.
González’s failed attempt from the spot meant I Nerazzurri emerge victorious in this league encounter, and they have now collected 54 points out of a possible 63 in their last 21 games in the league, which are a point above than second-placed Old Lady with another game in hand.
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Lautaro Martínez in 2023/2024: 22 Goals and Five Assists in All Competitions
Lautaro Martínez’s emphatic performance in captaining Inter Milan to the 1-0 victory over Fiorentina and leading the team back to the summit of the Italian Serie A table saw him accumulate a total of 22 goals and five assists in 28 games in all competitions for the club this season thus far. The 2022 FIFA World Cup-winning forward is now six goals and six assists away from tying the best goal scoring season in professional senior career of 28 goals and 11 assists in 57 games, which was achieved in the 2022/2023 Season.
Lautaro Martínez is having one hell of a season.
22 goals & 2 assists in 28 games, already having won Inter their first trophy of the season (Supercup) with a 91st minute winning goal + Serie A topscorer and top of the league. pic.twitter.com/9NaxxeeMDl
— 𝐀𝐅𝐂 𝐀𝐉𝐀𝐗 💎 (@TheEuropeanLad) January 28, 2024
Inter to Face Juventus Next
The winning manager Inzaghi said these in Inter’s 1-0 win over Fiorentina: “Clearly, after taking the lead, we had lots of chances where we could’ve done better, including one where Terracciano made a great save. After the break, there were many counter-attacks where again we usually have more quality. However, I cannot reproach anything with these lads, as we won 17 games out of 21, scored 50 goals and conceded 10, so I can only applaud them. All games are difficult, especially in Florence against a great side like Fiorentina. This was a very important stage of the season.”
He also added: “Kristjan Asllani was excellent, but I had no doubts about that. I was not sure if he would need one more year to develop, but he is 100 per cent part of the squad and always trains well. Any coach is fortunate to work with a lad like this and I’m glad he provided the assist for Lautaro’s goal. We take it one game at a time, we don’t make false tables. We were coming off two big Supercoppa games, I gave the players two days off to rest, as they deserve it.”
Lautaro Martínez’s and Inzaghi’s Inter Milan are set to host second-placed Italian Serie A side Juventus this coming Sunday and the feisty encounter is likely to determine the outlook of this year’s Italian top-flight football champions at the end of the 2023/2024 Season. Watch the game live via AsiaSport.com if you have not tried their services already!
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