Lautaro Martinez insists Inter lost to Liverpool earlier this week due to a ‘referee’s mistake’, but feels the Nerazzurri are ‘improving day by day.’
A controversial Dominik Szoboszlai penalty allowed Liverpool to beat Inter in a Champions League match at San Siro on Tuesday.
Inter defender Alessandro Bastoni was punished for pulling Florian Wirtz’s shirt, and the German’s dramatic fall led to a VAR pitchside review that ultimately awarded the decisive spot-kick to the Reds.
“We are disappointed but not angry,” Lautaro told Gazzetta.
“Because if you lose due to a referee’s mistake, there’s not much you can do. We’re upset that we threw everything away because of an injustice. If penalties were given for every shirt pull, the game would never be played.”
Inter have lost two Champions League Finals in the last three years and suffered a huge blow this past May when they succumbed to a 5-0 defeat to PSG in Munich.
Have they entirely recovered from it?
“Defeats hurt a lot, but make you grow. I get really angry when I lose, but I also have to consider the quality of the opponent,” argued Lautaro.
“Anyway, we started again. Maybe some results haven’t been positive, but it takes time. There’s a new coach who is giving us a lot of energy. Maybe it’s not visible from the outside, but we know we are improving day by day.”
Lautaro Martinez revealed he recently began seeing a psychologist to help him stay balanced.
“I’m very happy I trusted a professional; it helped me a lot,” said the Inter captain.
“I understood that if someone attacks me, it’s often because they would like to be in my place. When I was young, I used to struggle with reading or hearing harsh words about me. Now I face them with more calm, and I enjoy my career.”
Inter are just one point below Serie A leaders Milan and Napoli. Are they going to be their main rivals for the Scudetto?
“I’d include Roma too; they have a coach I really like,” Lautaro argued.
The Argentine star’s contract at San Siro expires in June 2029.
“My family and I feel very good here; we’ve set down roots in Milan. I’ve just signed a new contract, so I have no reason to leave,” Lautaro concluded.
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