Inter Milan legend Marco Materazzi admitted he was surprised by the decision to drop Argentina megastar Lautaro Martinez from the starting XI for the Supercoppa Italiana semi-final against Bologna, though he believes the Nerazzurri still have enough firepower to reach the final.
Speaking to Sport Mediaset just minutes before kick-off in Riyadh, the former Inter defender shared his honest reaction to the unexpected call.
“Did I expect Lautaro to be left out? No,” Materazzi said.
“Because if you want to reach the final, you have to win.”
Despite his surprise, the World Cup winner was quick to highlight the attacking depth available to head coach Cristian Chivu.
“There are still four very strong forwards,” Materazzi added. “They are absolutely at the level of a starting eleven.”
Bologna vs Inter – Materazzi Surprised but Confident in Nerazzurri
Materazzi’s comments reflect confidence in Inter Milan’s attacking options, even without their captain leading the line. His remarks also suggest an understanding of squad rotation during a demanding phase of the season.
Looking beyond the immediate Bologna vs Inter Supercoppa clash, Materazzi was also asked to assess Inter’s overall progress compared to last season. His response carried a clear sense of optimism.
“Inter are top of the table now,” he noted. “After every fall, there’s always a rise. That’s what gives hope for the future.”
Those words mirror a familiar pattern in Inter’s recent history — moments of adversity followed by strong reactions. Under Cristian Chivu, the Supercoppa offers an early opportunity to transform consistency into silverware, even as the coach balances player workloads and long-term expectations.
