Argentina's $80 Million Star Praises Lautaro, Sparking Inter Fans' Outcry Due to Juventus' Derby Advantage

After Inter Milan secured early qualification for the Champions League knockout stages, global media outlets have showered praise on the team. Headlines such as "Inzaghi's Champions League Winning Percentage Rivals Manchester City's" and "Inter's Performance and Bonuses Soar" are being published, making some fans uneasy. Among the accolades, one comment by World Cup hero Julian Alvarez, known as "La Araña," has sparked significant controversy within the Inter community.

"Lautaro is as incredible as Haaland; he has scored so many goals for Inter Milan," Alvarez remarked. "Every season, he performs exceptionally. Playing and training alongside such top players helps you improve and learn a lot, both in football and as a person."

However, this praise has not been well received by fans. On various social media platforms, many fans have expressed their discontent: "The Argentine one is Martínez, what does he have to do with Inter's Lautaro?" "Alvarez needs to step up and bench Lautaro permanently!" "With Alvarez available, why does Scaloni keep starting Lautaro? Scaloni out!" Many of these comments come from fans with Inter avatars, causing confusion among colleagues who wondered, "What's the issue here?"

Understanding Lautaro's form curve and the schedule helps clarify the situation. Since the World Cup, Alvarez's rise has been evident. His market value has soared to €80 million, and he has received more playing time than Lautaro. In 2023, Alvarez has played 390 minutes for Argentina, including 229 minutes in competitive matches, surpassing Lautaro's 296 and 184 minutes, respectively. Strictly speaking, Alvarez is now Argentina's primary striker, with Lautaro relegated to a rotational role.

Alvarez's ascent has led to a significant reduction in Lautaro's national team appearances in 2023, his lowest in three years. In 2021 and 2022, Lautaro played 25 matches for Argentina, scoring 10 goals, but this year he has only six appearances. This reduction in national team duties has contributed to Lautaro's improved performance at Inter. In this sense, Alvarez's rise has indirectly benefited Inter. Nevertheless, many Inter fans hope Scaloni will continue to favor Alvarez, at least during the upcoming international break, keeping Lautaro on the bench.

Why? This pertains to a significant advantage Juventus holds during the Italian Derby: minimal impact from the FIFA virus. The Italian Derby is a fierce and grueling battle. Juventus has not been dazzling offensively but has been exceptional defensively. Allegri has made rugged, aggressive play the team's primary strategy. Coupled with factors that often do not favor Inter, the Derby requires not just tactics and skill but also stamina and fighting spirit.

Some fans believe the fixture schedule, placing the Derby after the international break rather than after a Champions League matchday, seems unfavorable to Juventus, who are only competing in the league. However, the brilliance of this scheduling became evident after Inter secured early qualification in the Champions League. As the Gazzetta dello Sport points out, Juventus has fewer international players, particularly fewer South American players, which is a major issue for Inter. The FIFA virus affects all top clubs. European internationals do not face the challenges of long-distance travel, jet lag, or extreme temperature differences, allowing them to return to club duties quickly. However, South American internationals return exhausted or even injured, making it difficult for them to be immediately useful.

Inter has often paid the price for this, with players like Alexis Sánchez, Arturo Vidal, and Juan Cuadrado suffering from the effects of international duty. Currently, with Timothy Weah and Danilo injured and Weston McKennie not called up by the US team, only Bremer from Juventus has to travel to the Americas for international duty. In contrast, Inter has several players facing this issue, notably Lautaro, Sánchez, and Augusto. Lautaro, Inter's top scorer and captain, is the most critical.

The Argentine team faces two tough matches in this international break, against Uruguay and Brazil in Rio, which are physically demanding and could lead to injuries. Hence, Inzaghi and Inter fans naturally hope Argentina will rely more on Alvarez than Lautaro in these matches. As the Gazzetta dello Sport aptly noted: "Though the Derby is weeks away, given the current standings, the battle between the two teams has already begun in various aspects."

In conclusion, while Julian Alvarez's praise for Lautaro Martínez was intended to be complimentary, it has highlighted the underlying tensions and strategic concerns among Inter fans, especially with the crucial Derby against Juventus approaching. The interplay of national team duties and club commitments continues to be a significant factor in the performance and strategy of top teams like Inter Milan and Juventus.