Arsenal legend, Thierry Henry, has criticized Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez for his performance during his team’s UEFA Champions League final 1-0 defeat against Manchester City over the weekend.
Martinez was guilty of missing a clear-cut chance in the second half of the encounter, which could have possibly changed the complexion of the Champions League final.
Inter Milan eventually went on to lose 1-0 to the Premier League champions in Turkey following Rodri’s brilliant second-half goal.
Man City, however, were fortunate that Inter Milan could not take advantage of the numerous chances that came their way.
One of the moments from the game was a big miss from Martinez, who had the opportunity of laying a simple pass to on-rushing teammates.
But the Argentina World Cup winner decided to go for glory and had his attempt saved by Man City goalkeeper Ederson.
Speaking on Martinez’s missed chance, Henry said the player could have crossed the ball to his teammate, adding that Man City manager Pep Guardiola was on his knees praying.
“I will go back to the one with Lautaro Martinez, I am sorry, you have to cross. Not only one time, two times, three times, four times and five times. The only solution you have is to cross. It would have been a different game, now he has to sleep with that one,” Henry told CBS Sports.
“Akanji let the ball go thinking the goalkeeper was going to get it – If Martinez recomposed himself and you really take your time to see Brozovic at the top of the box. Lukaku is with Ruben Dias, so it’s difficult to play him. If he kept his composure, then he would have seen Brozovic and it’s a tap-in. It is a tap-in.
“But he decided he had to score and not Inter Milan had to score. You don’t always have to score, the team has to score. Pep (Guardiola) was on his knees praying.”