Crespo: Goals and transfer decisions made Lautaro Martinez an Inter ‘icon’

Former Inter star Hernan Crespo is impressed by his compatriot and Nerazzurri captain Lautaro Martinez: ‘He’s improved enormously, there were plenty of big clubs trying to lure him away…’

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Lautaro Martinez returned to action after nearly two months on Sunday, contributing to Inter’s 5-2 win over Roma at San Siro with two goals.

In the previous seven games without the Argentine on the field, the Nerazzurri had collected two wins, three draws and two defeats.

Crespo: ‘Plenty of big clubs’ wanted to sign Lautaro Martinez

“I’ve followed him since he was a kid. His first steps in Europe at Inter, an environment I know very well,” Crespo told Gazzetta.

“There were plenty of big clubs trying to lure him away, but he never wanted to detach himself from his love. That loyalty has made him an icon. Technically, tactically, physically, he’s improved enormously.”

Crespo, a former Argentina international, went on to say that Lautaro alone is worth half of Inter.

“The results say it. With him on the pitch, you win. Without him, you are at risk,” he insisted.

“Whenever the team has dipped, Lautaro hasn’t been in form or has been injured. He’s not just a finisher, he’s an example for his teammates.”

The Nerazzurri are the Serie A table leaders, and Lautaro is the top scorer in the league, but they were eliminated from the Champions League knockout play-off by Bodo/Glimt.

“Let me ask you something: was he playing in the return leg against Bodo? No,” noted Crespo.

“Lautaro is an asset for the team and a problem for the opponents. They never know how to mark him. He moves across the entire front line; he has precise shots from distance and inside the box; he’s lethal. Where do you find a more complete striker in Serie A? Who’s the top scorer right now? It’s him. Who’s the striker defenders fear the most? It’s him. So, what are we even talking about?”

Inter have a seven-point lead over second-placed Napoli with seven games remaining. The Nerazzurri visit Cesc Fabregas’ Como next week.

“I thought Inter were the strongest team in Italy, and they are proving it,” Crespo concluded.

“Mind you, it wasn’t that obvious. In the summer, they changed coaches, methods, and tweaked things tactically as well. There were a few stumbles, but in the long run, they’ve shown they’re the best.”

Crespo, 50, scored 153 goals in 340 Serie A matches. He played for Inter, Milan, Lazio, Parma and Genoa in Italy’s top-flight.