Inter is with Lautaro, Chivu has faith in the captain

Sixty-six minutes in the derby, seventy-two in Madrid. Substituted twice in four days, in the decisive moments of a couple of not bad matches. What’s happening to Lautaro Martinez? The succession of events is unquestionably anomalous, compared to the normal management of fatigue. But we must not exaggerate with suspicions and insinuations. Quite simply, Inter has changed: last year Inzaghi could never do without him, since on the bench he scrutinized low-ranking alternatives among lazy (Correa), elderly (Arnautovic) or wrong (Taremi) reserves. Today, however, Chivu can count on a quartet of high-level attackers and decides to use them all, some first and some later.

bad mood

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The club and the coach have no intention of discussing the centrality of the captain, who is an exemplary professional and in every training session he demonstrates commendable attention and loyalty to the cause. Chivu in particular supports and stimulates him, even publicly, renewing his esteem and admiration. If anything, it is Lautaro who has to accept the new status, which requires him to overcome his own limits. “I think he wasn’t happy with the change, maybe he was angry with the manager” said the treble goalkeeper, Julio Cesar, live on Prime, who was on the sidelines in Madrid and is quite familiar with the balance of the dressing room. In fact at the Metropolitano, after having already reluctantly accepted to leave the derby at 0-1, Lautaro seemed quite annoyed when he read the number 10 colored red on the display, red like an expulsion. But they are dynamics linked to contingency. Chivu is controlling a delicate transition, which in the two matches following the break was not supported by the results, and wants to exploit players who are in top condition, mixing them carefully between one match and another. Calhanoglu, the other cumbersome champion, was also replaced twice in a row. Not for the repeated errors, which unfortunately cost Milan and Atletico goals, but for an overall less than satisfactory performance. The paradox is that Calhanoglu has never been so prolific: 6 goals already scored are not a consolidated habit.

Together

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But above all Lautaro is now the fuse to defuse. So far his bad mood has been contained within the normal disappointment of a change (or rather two). There are no private outbursts, neither with Chivu nor with his teammates. Indeed, it is conceivable that a calm chat between captain and coach served to clarify their respective positions. But there is no desire for a break in a very important phase for the new course. Chivu needs Lautaro like Lautaro needs Chivu. Just a few minutes before the match against Atletico, president Beppe Marotta had assured that the coach would “remain at Inter for many years”. And it cannot be a goal conceded from a corner in the 93rd minute that undermines mutual trust. This is why the two, coach and captain, must support each other. And it is clear that Lautaro, like the rest of the troops, must resume a march already started from Sunday’s trip to Pisa. “The ego must be put on the back burner for the collective good” often reminds the democratic leader Chivu, who in fact has shown that he does not give minutes and indulgence to anyone: Lautaro has been replaced 12 times out of 15 from August onwards.

certainty

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The recent invitation to smile more, to enjoy the privilege of the burden of captaincy, did not produce the hoped-for shock: Lautaro has scored 3 goals in the last 9 games, one in 6 of the championship, rising to 8 seasonal goals between the championship and the Champions League. Last year he started more slowly (5+1) and then took over the status of Inter’s driving force, especially in Europe. In short, the crisettes at the beginning of the season, at least in terms of execution, are nothing new for him. And it is as if, unconsciously, Lautaro retained within his talent the decisive plays that can change destiny precisely when the matches come from inside/outside.

I’m moving forward

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Martinez is the first to complain to himself when the goal seems to shrink before his eyes, see Maignan’s save with the post in the derby. A question of centimeters and we would talk about something else. But right in Madrid, on the eve of the match against his Argentine friend and rival Julian Alvarez, Lautaro had clarified: “I hear many stories about myself. Once they criticize me because I don’t score in the Champions League, another because I don’t score in the championship. I play for my team, for my teammates, to give joy to my fans. The rest doesn’t interest me.” It is typical of all great footballers to fuel debate, discussions on details. The best are those who create the conditions to have the final say.