Lautaro Martinez wants to take Inter ‘higher’ after Champions League hat-trick | OneFootball

Lautaro Martinez believes Inter have sent a ‘strong message’ by beating Monaco 3-0 in their last game of the Champions League league phase and securing a straight pass for the round-of-16.

The Nerazzurri skipper bagged a hat-trick on Wednesday night, with two goals coming within the opening 20 minutes, suggesting they approached the game ‘with the right mentality and attitude’.

MILAN, ITALY – JANUARY 29: Caio Henrique of AS Monaco is challenged by Nicolo Barella of FC Internazionale during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD8 match between FC Internazionale Milano and AS Monaco at Stadio San Siro on January 29, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Simone Inzaghi’s side finished fourth in a 36-team table, level on points with European powerhouses such as Arsenal and Barcelona, which, according to Lautaro, is particularly telling of how Inter ‘have been growing’ in recent years.

Lautaro Martinez: Inter showed ‘right mentality’ against Monaco and need to ‘keep going’

“Inter took to the field with the right mentality and attitude,” Lautaro Martinez told Sky Sport Italia after the game, which saw him awarded the Man of the Match.

“After sixteen minutes, we scored two goals, and then their red card. Credit goes to the whole team.

“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.”

The Nerazzurri top-eight finish will spare them two extra games in the knockout phase play-off, and the Argentina international insists the ‘signs are positive’ for a team who is eager to reach another final after missing out on the Champions League trophy in 2023 due to a narrow defeat at the hands of Manchester City.

LECCE, ITALY – JANUARY 26: Lautaro Martinez of Inter celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal during the Serie A match between Lecce and FC Internazionale at Stadio Via del Mare on January 26, 2025 in Lecce, Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images)

“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,” Lautaro Martinez said.

“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.”

The 27-year-old has dramatically increased his scoring tally in recent weeks, netting eight goals in as many games across all competitions since the turn of the year.