Inter Milan secured their place in the Champions League Round of 16 with a resounding 3-0 victory over Monaco at the San Siro on Wednesday night.
Captain Lautaro Martinez was the hero of the night, bagging a sensational hat-trick, with two goals coming in the opening 20 minutes.
The Argentinian striker’s performance underscored Inter’s dominant display and sent a clear message to their European rivals.
Martinez expressed his delight after the match, telling Sky Sport Italia, “Inter took to the field with the right mentality and attitude. After sixteen minutes, we scored two goals, and then they got a red card. Credit goes to the whole team.”
He emphasized the team’s focus and determination, stating, “Now we need to recover our energy, keep playing like this, and try to take Inter as high as possible. I’m happy and proud of my teammates for the journey we’ve made.”
Inter’s fourth-place finish in the newly formatted 36-team Champions League table is a significant achievement, placing them level on points with European giants like Arsenal and Barcelona.
This accomplishment, according to Martinez, is a testament to Inter’s consistent growth on the European stage.
“We’re sending an important message: we’re fourth in a very different Champions League with many strong teams, but Inter have been growing at the European level for many years,” he commented.
The fourth-place finish also grants Inter a bye from the knockout phase play-off, saving them two crucial matches. Looking ahead to the knockout stages, Martinez exuded confidence, highlighting the team’s recent successes.
“We made it to the final, playing toe to toe against City, and the signs are positive. We need to keep going like this and take Inter higher. I’m happy and proud, we’ve had an excellent group phase.”
He pointed to their performance against Manchester City in the 2023 final as evidence of their ability to compete at the highest level.
Martinez’s recent form has been exceptional, with eight goals in as many games across all competitions since the start of the year.
