Hat-trick hero Martinez: Inter's character and determination have been revived

Inter made up for a dip in their determination and character with a resounding 5-0 win over Salernitana, according to Lautaro Martinez.

A four-game winless run in Serie A and two wins in seven in the competition had seen Inter slip off top spot and fall two points behind leaders Napoli.

However, the Nerazzurri returned to the summit on Friday after Martinez found the back of the net in a top-flight game for the first time since December. It ended a barren run of no goals in 425 minutes, making it his worst such spell in all competitions since going 430 minutes without a goal in January 2018.

The Argentina international ended the match at San Siro with a hat-trick, while strike partner Edin Dzeko scored the other two as Inter went a point clear at the summit ahead of Napoli's meeting with Milan on Sunday.

Martinez was pleased to see Simone Inzaghi's side get back on track after a sluggish start to the year.

| JOY Nerazzurri celebrations in front of the #InterFans! #InterSalernitana #FORZAINTER pic.twitter.com/gZk6da5JGy

— Inter (@Inter_en) March 4, 2022

"A win was missing and there were no goals for the team. Today we scored five and we are happy," Martinez told Sky Sport Italia.

"I personally experienced a difficult moment because a striker lives to score goals. Today I was lucky enough to score three goals.

"I went out on the pitch with a lot of desire and anger because it was an important match for us and an important period is approaching.

"We had to demonstrate a lot of things because we have lost a bit of determination and character.

"When I go to bed, I talk a lot with my wife because I'm sad when I can't help the team with goals. I talked a lot with her, with friends and my family. I dedicate these three goals to my daughter.

"[Inzaghi] always gives me confidence. He fights with us from the sidelines."