UEL, Spalletti: "A deserved win, it was important to get a result"

VIENNA - After the win at Parma, Inter won 1-0 on the road once more in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League Round of 32 tie with Rapid Vienna thanks to Lautaro Martinez’s goal.

For the ‘Toro’, it was the second game-winning goal in as many games. "He had lots of responsibility and we have to give him credit because he put in a great performance," said the Coach after the whistle. "He often helped the team get forward with the ball at his feet, he pressed, he won the penalty and he took it. A lot from the result is thanks to his desire to fight for every ball. Centre-forward is his role, he’s in his element there and he needs to show that he’s always lethal inside the area. But, he’s a strong player and he has quality in tight spaces, he can turn with an opponent on his back and get a shot away."

"The result was important, we could have done better in our build-up play but we deserved to win. We came up against a side that cover the pitch well and have the legs to counter. No team has scored here in the Europa League prior to us tonight. The pitch wasn’t favourable to us because it was heavy going, this is what the lads told me when they came back into the changing room. It created problems for us physically and in terms of keeping the ball.”

Inter kept another clean sheet: “It’s important not to concede goals because through this, there is more stability. This gives us an important base to build from.”

Finally, the Coach had an important message for the Nerazzurri’s fans: “For them, it’s always Saint Valentine’s Day because they always show their love for Inter. They’re always there for us wherever we go. They were also here in huge numbers today.”