Lautaro Martinez rescued a point at the Stadio Olimpico with two second-half goals, but Inter’s captain was blunt about the 45 minutes that made the rescue necessary.
Speaking to DAZN after the 2-2 draw, the Argentine began by paying tribute to Sandro Mazzola, the Inter and Italy great who died on Saturday aged 83.
“Mazzola was a legend for Inter and all Italian football, so we send support to his family.”
Lautaro: ‘The first half needs to be wiped out’
Manu Kone’s brace had the hosts two ahead by the 37th minute, and Lautaro did not attempt to explain it away.
“The first half needs to be wiped out, because we didn’t have the right attitude,” he said. “From the restart, we changed mentality, and in a game at this level it becomes difficult if you give away a whole half.”
The equaliser arrived on 79 minutes, a minute into the second half having already halved the deficit, and the captain was willing to take something from it while flagging the wider pattern.
“We didn’t manage all three points, but considering how good Roma are and the stage of the season, it’s a good point. We do need to review how we start games, because we can’t always be chasing the momentum.”
It is a fair diagnosis as this was the third Serie A match running in which Inter have trailed by two goals before recovering, a run that speaks well of their character and rather less well of their opening 45 minutes. Both they and Roma remain unbeaten and level at the top.
Lautaro himself has four goals already, and pointed to a summer spent rebuilding after a disappointing World Cup.
“The World Cup was a heavy blow for me, we were always chasing the game there too actually. I worked really hard on my physique and want to give everything for Inter.”
He closed on Lionel Messi. “It will be an emotional night, one with goosebumps, for all Leo has been not just for Argentina, but for global football. We must keep going without him.”
