Simeone Inzaghi has few concerns about the form of Inter captain Lautaro Martinez.
Inter beat Como 2-0 on Monday, meaning they go into Christmas in third place in Serie A, three points behind leaders Atalanta.
Carlos Augusto and Marcus Thuram were on target as Inter recorded a fourth straight league win.
However, striker Martinez – who was top scorer in Serie A last season and also won the Golden Boot at the Copa America – failed to spark, with just one shot on target. He has scored just six times in all competitions this season and has not scored in more than a month.
But Inzaghi isn't worried.
“I was a striker, I know these moments happen,” said the Inter coach.
“Lautaro was one of the excellent players against Lazio.
“The attackers work hard, we ask a lot of them and try to give them as much rest as possible given the circumstances.
“I told Lautaro to relax because he has always scored and always will. The luck will change and he only has to worry if he doesn't get scoring opportunities.”
Martinez is performing about what would be expected based on the quality of chances he has had this season, with his six goals coming from 5.7 expected goals.
He has had 44 shots, meaning his shot conversion rate is 13.64%, up from 17.88% last season.
Inter's run of four wins is the best in Serie A since a run of 10 between January and March, and Inzaghi is pleased with the level his team is showing.
“It is clear that we are maintaining a very high level. All teams are leading the way, there are opponents like Como who come to play great games, but we played an important game as a mature and conscious team,” he said.
“I had a lot of fear about this match, we had some weaknesses in the back line. We played a concentration game, in the first half we were not as sharp as normal. In the second half we increased the intensity and struck the right moments.”
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