Lautaro takes match ball home after hat - trick

MILAN – The first goal brought the drought to an end, but by the end of the evening, one had turned into three for Lautaro Martinez, who was in stunning form in the 5-0 victory over Salernitana, earning himself the match ball in the process. 

The Argentine’s opener put an end to a 425-minute run in which Inter had failed to find the net in all competitions. Lautaro’s second hat-trick for the club (the first came against Crotone in 2021) took him past the 50-goal mark in Serie A (now 51 in total). While such statistics matter, what matters the most is the three points, as Lautaro explained.

“We needed a win and the team needed to score some goals. We managed to get five tonight and we’re pleased. On a personal level, I’ve been through a tough time. It makes me sad when I’m unable to help the team, but strikers can go through periods in which they don’t score. I always try to give my all. 

“I’ve been speaking to my partner and family in Argentina so much in this period and the three goals tonight are really important. I dedicate them to my daughter who should be asleep now and who’s just turned one.

“The hug with [Simone] Inzaghi shows there’s trust. He’s always by our side and he fights with us. I was really pumped up when I took to the pitch and the three goals came. An important period of the season is coming up for us. We needed to prove ourselves and rediscover our ruthlessness and personality. We’re grateful to the fans because they’re always behind us.

“As for Liverpool, we’ll go there to give it a go, trying to give everything and dreaming of progressing.”