Lautaro Martinez`s tears at the final whistle painted a vivid picture of an Inter side that looked a shadow of its usual self. As captain, `El Toro` struggled throughout the 90 minutes to provide the emotional lift or leadership needed to prevent his team`s collapse. His individual performance has sparked considerable debate among sports journalists, reflected in a wide range of post-match ratings.
Several outlets were critical, with TuttoMercatoWeb, Corriere dello Sport, and Tuttosport all assigning a mark of 4.5. TuttoMercatoWeb commented that his tears `save virtually nothing` and that he was `far from the Toro seen in a memorable Champions League campaign`, failing to truly threaten and watching his Ballon d`Or prospects fade. Corriere and Tuttosport noted PSG`s effective pressing game limited him, suggesting he seemed out of form, partly attributed to recent injury or rest.
Repubblica and Gazzetta dello Sport were even harsher, rating him a 4. They described him as `a captain who doesn`t lead,` passively observing the unfolding difficulties without influence. Their reviews highlighted his lack of danger, characterizing his presence as `absolute emptiness.`
On the other hand, some publications were slightly more lenient. Corriere della Sera gave him a 5, while L`Interista awarded a 5.5. Corriere della Sera observed he `didn`t make mistakes until sergeant Marquinhos took control` and, despite trying to pull the team out of its slump in the second half, was ultimately `unsuccessful.` L`Interista also acknowledged his efforts to lift the team. Both saw his emotional reaction at the end of the match as a reflection of a difficult night.
