Lautaro Martinez: ‘I needed a coach like Chivu, he hugs me more than my wife’

Lautaro Martinez insists he ‘really needed a coach like Cristian Chivu’ at Inter and jokes he ‘gets more hugs from him than from my wife.’

The media tried to stir up suggestions of tension behind the scenes when the captain was substituted early during the defeats to AC Milan and Atletico Madrid last week.

The striker responded to criticism by scoring two goals in a much-needed victory away to Pisa, insisting there was a great rapport with his coach.

“It’s great, we talk every day, he always gives us hugs, maybe even too many,” laughed Lautaro Martinez on Sky Sport Italia as he attended the Gran Gala del Calcio awards ceremony.

“I get more hugs from him than from my wife, but that is his way of doing things. It’s pleasing, because he experienced what it was like to be a player in that dressing room, he understands all of it.

“We needed a coach like him, as he gives us freedom, confidence, tells us that we’ve got to put all our quality onto the pitch. I am happy with the way his adventure at Inter has started.

“The group is first and foremost, which is the most important thing to find fresh energy and try to win trophies. We are not all friends, but there is still a good rapport.

“Inter must try to go all the way in every tournament.”

This team worked under Simone Inzaghi for many years, winning the Scudetto and reaching two Champions League Finals, so how does Chivu differ from that experience?

“They are similar coaches, in that they both want us to play good football,” explained Lautaro Martinez.

“With Cristian, we press higher, try to recover the ball straight away. It is something we are trying to improve every day, it has given us many benefits so far this season.”

Nonetheless, they have already suffered four defeats between Serie A and the Champions League, struggling in the big games.

“We talk between ourselves about everything and try to work on the details. The performances are usually good, it’s just that within the game we must have that mental switch. We’ve got to adapt to the circumstances.”