Lautaro Achieves Dual Historic Feats in Serie A as Inter's Four Substitutes Shine Brightly

In a dominant 4-0 victory over Lecce, Inter Milan executed a large-scale rotation, making eight changes from their previous lineup against Juventus. Despite the significant changes, the Nerazzurri showcased their depth and strength, leading Italian media to marvel: who can stop Inter from clinching their second star? Lautaro Martínez, in particular, cemented two remarkable records, adding to his growing legend at the club.

Lautaro's Historic Achievements

First and foremost, by scoring his 101st Serie A goal for Inter, Lautaro became the ninth player in Serie A history to net 100 goals for a single club before turning 27. The previous eight are all legendary figures: Giuseppe Meazza (Inter), Felice Borel (Juventus), Giampiero Boniperti (Juventus), Carlo Reguzzoni (Bologna), Omar Sívori (Juventus), José Altafini (AC Milan), Luigi Riva (Cagliari), and Mauro Icardi (Inter). Additionally, Lautaro’s 101 goals place him ninth on Inter’s all-time Serie A scorers list, just behind Christian Vieri, who has 103 goals.

Following the match, Italian media speculated about Lautaro’s potential to break the single-season goal record in Serie A (36 goals). Lautaro responded confidently, stating, “I’ll try.” With 13 league games remaining, if Lautaro surpasses this record, he could break into the top six on Inter’s all-time Serie A scorers list, potentially tying or surpassing Sandro Mazzola’s 116 goals. Reflecting on his journey, Lautaro said, “When I left home at 15, I never imagined any of this would happen.” At 26 and a half, Lautaro has already cemented his place in history.

Surprising Contributions from Four Substitutes

While Lautaro’s brilliance was expected, the outstanding performances from four substitutes were a pleasant surprise. Three players set personal records in this match. Davide Frattesi recorded a goal and an assist in a single Serie A match for only the second time in his career; the last instance was 800 days ago, in December 2021. Despite some criticism, with calls for him to be sold, Frattesi has consistently delivered, even if not universally appreciated. His season stats speak for themselves: in 1,116 minutes across all competitions, he has been involved in 10 goals (3 goals and 2 assists in Serie A, 1 goal and 3 assists in the Champions League, and 1 goal in the Supercoppa). His contributions against top teams like AC Milan, Lazio, Real Sociedad, and Benfica further highlight his value.

Kristjan Asllani also made his mark by providing the assist for the opening goal. In his 14 Serie A appearances this season, he has already recorded two crucial assists, surpassing his total from 43 matches across all competitions last season (1 assist). While still a work in progress, Asllani’s progress is evident. At just 21, and with a modest salary, his development is crucial for Inter. His primary evaluation criteria are his improvement over time and his ability to contribute despite limited playing time. On both fronts, Asllani has shown positive signs.

Stefan de Vrij delivered a solid defensive performance and scored Inter’s fourth goal, earning him Man of the Match honors from Gazzetta dello Sport. Since September 2016, de Vrij has scored 13 headed goals, the most among Serie A defenders in that period. Despite past contract renewal issues and concerns about his form, de Vrij has been instrumental this season, especially during Francesco Acerbi’s injury absence, helping Inter secure clean sheets and victories across competitions.

Another standout was Alexis Sánchez, who showed great effort with 12 duels and two key passes, earning an assist. His link-up play in the final third was crucial, far beyond what the stats can capture. Multiple Italian media outlets hailed it as his best performance since returning to Inter. Sánchez himself expressed his joy post-match: “Very happy to play a full match after a long time… Finally. Let’s move forward, Inter.” The last time Sánchez played a full match was 240 days ago for Chile on June 30, 2023. At the club level, it was 275 days ago in Marseille’s Ligue 1 match. This was his first full match since returning to Inter, a milestone worth noting.

Coach's Praise and Strategic Implications

The coach's post-match praise for Sánchez was significant: “Did the substitute forward give me answers? Yes, but I didn’t need these two games to know that. Sánchez played an extraordinary match, he was excellent, and he once again proved he’s a champion player. It’s a shame he didn’t score.” Sánchez’s complex emotions are understandable; despite his age and declining abilities, he returned to Inter on a modest salary, not for financial gain but for the love of the game. His determination to play, win, and make an impact in crucial moments is admirable. Although his time at Inter may be nearing its end, his commitment remains unwavering.

Substitutes' Impact and Future Prospects

The exceptional performances of the substitutes provided a significant boost for Inter. With three months of intense competition ahead, Inter’s depth and reliability in their squad will be crucial. Holding numerous reliable options adds confidence as they navigate the challenges of competing on multiple fronts.

Inter's Road Ahead

Inter Milan's commanding win over Lecce and the standout performances from both stars and substitutes underscore the team's depth and potential. Lautaro’s historic achievements and the impressive contributions from substitutes like Frattesi, Asllani, de Vrij, and Sánchez highlight the squad's strength. As Inter pushes forward, these players’ performances will be vital in their quest for success in Serie A and beyond.