Inter Milan's Lautaro Martinez criticized for poor performance amid team’s struggles
Italian journalist Gianfranco Teotino has expressed strong criticism of Lautaro Martinez, the Argentine forward whose current form has seemingly plummeted after shining brightly just last season. Martinez was pivotal for Inter Milan during the 2023/24 Serie A season, where he was the leading scorer with 24 goals, helping the team clinch its 20th league title. His impressive performances earned him the prestigious Capocannoniere award and the title of MVP.
Fast forward to the 2024/25 season, and things have taken a drastic turn for the 27-year-old forward. While teammates like Marcus Thuram have been making headlines with their contributions, Martinez has instead found himself under intense scrutiny. He has netted only five goals across 14 league appearances so far, a stark downturn from his previous year’s exploits.
Frustration reached its peak during Inter’s recent 2-0 home victory against Como. Desperate to end his dry spell, Martinez’s efforts backfired as he often ignored open teammates and chose to shoot instead, undermining team plays. It raised eyebrows when head coach Simone Inzaghi opted to keep him on the pitch until the 88th minute, even though his performance had not warranted such faith.
Teotino openly criticized Martinez's delivery on the field, stating, "I found Lautaro a bit sluggish. He doesn’t seem to be in the best physical shape. It’s a bit like he’s carrying more weight. Once, he had a sprint, a readiness to get on loose balls, which we don’t see now.
“In my opinion, he has to find the energy we don’t see now.”
Currently, Martinez is embroiled in a four-match goal drought within Serie A, with his last domestic goal scored on November 3 against Venezia, where he netted the game-winner. Compounding his struggles, he has also been underwhelming in UEFA Champions League matches, managing just one goal across six games. The stark difference between last season's achievements and this season's struggles has raised pressing concerns for fans and analysts alike.
Given his past accolades and contributions to the team, the expectations on Martinez are understandably high. The disappointing performance this season not only sheds light on his struggles but also raises broader questions about the Inter Milan squad’s capability this season. Analysts and fans alike will be closely watching how he responds to these challenges moving forward.
Only time will tell if Lautaro Martinez can reclaim the form and finesse he displayed last season, or if this will mark the beginning of troubling times for the talented striker.
