After scoring decisive goals against Benfica and classic rivals Milan, the Argentina striker scored a brace on Wednesday to turn the score around for the Nerazzurri as they repeated as Coppa Italia champions as they beat Fiorentina 2-1.
Inter won their second trophy of the season after beating Milan in the Italian Super Cup in January, a match in which “Toro” Martínez also found the net.
There are still a few games left to complete Serie A, but Martinez and Inter have their eyes set on the most coveted trophy. They will take on City in the Champions League final to be played in Istanbul on June 10.
“To be honest, I am shaken, because for some years now we have been able to bring trophies to this great club, and we have to continue on this path,” said Martínez, who also played a relevant role in 2021, when Inter were crowned champions in Serie A. “I want to continue contributing to Inter, because that’s what matters.”
Martinez has a career-high 27 goals in all competitions this season for Inter. He was also declared world champion along with Argentina in December. He is the only player to have played in each of Inter’s 54 matches this season.
The match at the Olympic Stadium was full of emotion from the start. Argentine striker Nicolás González put Fiorentina ahead barely three minutes after an Inter defensive mistake. A cross from Jonathan Ikon floated into the box for Gonzalez to push into the back of the net from the far post.
But Martinez was in charge of sending Inter in front before the break with his goals on 29 and 37 minutes.
The first, following a measured pass from Marcelo Brozovic, was Martinez’s 100th goal for Inter. He scored his second goal of the night with an acrobatic volley from a pass by Nicolo Barella.
He was close to scoring the third goal when he supplied Edin Dzeko and left him alone in front of the goalkeeper. However, the Bosnian star sent his shot over the crossbar.
Fiorentina will look for consolation when they face English side West Ham in the Europa Conference League final on June 7.
“We expected a different result, but it will serve as experience and preparation for what to expect mentally and how to handle the Conference League final,” said Viola coach Vincenzo Italiano.
Inter coach Simone Inzaghi has won seven of his eight finals as manager.
It was Inter’s ninth anointing in the Italian Cup.
Inzaghi said, “We started poorly and had the wrong strategy, which is rare for us, but the guys did well to keep going and turn the game around anyway.” “The team improves from game to game.”
By reaching the final, Inter and Fiorentina had already qualified for the next Italian Super Cup, in an expanded edition that would feature four teams. The other guest would be Napoli, as Serie A champions, as well as the team that finished second in the league.
