Lautaro's enigma: Two years in the Bianconeri labyrinth without a key

The return of the league after the international break couldn't have a better stage: the 'Derby d'Italia' between Inter and Juventus, one of the most anticipated and significant matches of the entire season.

A must-see clash for the fans, but especially for the protagonists on the pitch. Among these, the 'Nerazzurri' captain Lautaro Martinez stands out, determined to break the spell that sees him too often struggling against the 'Bianconeri'.

The numbers speak for themselves: 'El Toro' has scored just four goals in twenty matches played against Juventus, with an average of 0.2 per game. He has only done worse against Roma, with two goals in 14 encounters (0.14 average).

The comparison with the other Italian big teams, however, gives a different picture: five goals in 17 matches against Napoli (0.29), six in 13 against Lazio (0.45), up to nine goals in 20 matches against Milan, his favorite victim (0.45).

But against Juventus, his numbers drop even further if penalties are excluded: one goal every ten matches. Not only that: Juve is also the opponent that has inflicted the most defeats on him (eight, equal to 40% of the encounters) and against whom he has collected the fewest victories (six, 30%).

To make the situation even worse, there is the long drought: Lautaro Martinez has not scored against the Bianconeri for almost two years. The last goal dates back to November 26, 2023 at the Allianz Stadium, a goal that was worth the draw after Vlahović's initial lead. Since then, three consecutive Derby d'Italia matches without celebration.

Now, on his return to the Bianconeri's ground for the first match of the season, the Inter captain has the opportunity to rewrite his history: to finally find the key to escape from the Juventino labyrinth and lead the Nerazzurri towards a success that would have the weight of a liberation.