Inter and Italy legend Boninsegna: ‘I regret not playing’ with Lautaro Martinez
Former Inter and Italy striker Roberto Boninsegna admits he would have loved to play alongside Lautaro Martinez: ‘We would have been a terrific strike partnership.’
Lautaro Martinez scored a goal in a 5-0 win over Sassuolo on Sunday, becoming the third-highest goalscorer in Inter’s history with 171, level with Boninsegna.
“Congratulations to Lautaro Martinez. I’m an ex-striker, but mostly a big Inter fan, so I can only be happy with a season where he’s scoring consistently,” the former Italian striker told Gazzetta.
“It was predictable that he would catch me, but not so predictable that he’d do it so quickly. Better this way. After all, the team is marching towards the Scudetto, and he’s a worthy captain of this group.
“He has the character of a leader and the attitude of somebody who knows how important it is to earn the teammates’ trust through facts.”
Boninsegna scored nine goals in 22 Italy appearances, including one in a legendary World Cup semifinal against Germany in 1970.
Only Giuseppe Meazza with 284 and Alessandro Altobelli with 209 have scored more goals than Boninsegna and Lautaro at Inter.
Boninsegna: Lautaro and I, a ‘terrific strike partnership’
“I can say that it’s a pleasure to sit alongside him in this prestigious ranking, but I regret not playing with him, as we would have been a terrific strike partnership,” said Boninsegna.
“I would have placed myself in the middle of the box, and he’d run around to link up. I would have created space for him so he could quickly pounce on the ball in the danger zone, as he loves doing. We would have posed a big concern to the opposing defenders.”
Inter are the Serie A table leaders with an eight-point lead over city rivals Milan, who have a game in hand.
“We are strong in the Champions League, and we’ll continue to prove it against Milan and Juventus,” Bonimba concluded.
“The Champions League is different because the balance of power inevitably changes. But I believe we can go fairly ahead. Now there’s an ideal atmosphere in the dressing room to face the toughest encounters. I’m confident.”