Inter Milan qualified for the knockout stage of the UEFA Champions League 2021-22 season after finishing second in the Group D standings. The defending Serie A champions won three games and collected ten points in six games. They finished five points behind group leaders Real Madrid. Inter struggled to find the back of the net and scored eight goals. One of the main reasons behind the poor goal-scoring run was the form of striker Lautaro Martinez. The Argentine failed to score a goal or provide an assist, and started all the games for the Italian team.
The 24-year-old striker attempted 24 shots in six games. He averaged four shots per match, and his shots per 90 rate are 4.80. His combined expected goal rate was 2.8, and his xG rate was highest in the third match against Sheriff. Martinez managed to hit the target seven times, and his shot accuracy rate was 29.16%. There are two Inter Milan players in the top three rankings. Martinez and Dzeko attempted a combined total of 47 shots. Dzeko has 12 shots on target.
The above viz shows the shot map of Lautaro Martinez in the Champions League. 20 shots were attempted from inside the opposition’s penalty box, and four were attempted from outside the penalty box. The forward was unable to attempt a shot from inside the opposition’s 6-yard box. He attempted eight shots against Sheriff in the third match but managed to hit the target only once. Martinez took 34 touches inside the opposition’s penalty box, and nine touches were in the match against Sheriff.
The Argentine player attempted four shots against Real Madrid, six against Shakhtar Donetsk, and 14 against Sheriff. He created the combined lowest xT rate against Real Madrid. Martinez has attempted more shots against a weak Sheriff side and fewer shots against the table-toppers Real Madrid.
The above viz shows the pass receiving location of Lautaro Martinez in the UEFA Champions League group stage. He has received 12 passes inside the opposition’s penalty area. The striker has operated from the left side and has also taken a central role. Inter Milan plays with two strikers in the match and usually in a 3-5-2 formation.
Lautaro Martinez had a poor shot accuracy rate and was unable to score a goal in six matches. He attempted the most shots in the group stage, and his poor accuracy rate meant that Inter were unable to score a lot of goals. Edin Dzeko was the highest goalscorer for the Italian club but didn’t receive any support from his fellow striker. The Argentine is the top goalscorer for the Italian club in Serie A. He has scored ten goals in 15 appearances, and Inter will expect their striker to show form against Liverpool in the next round.
