Josep Martinez stated during international duty with Spain that Inter concedes too many goals and must improve its defensive phase as the season progresses, though the goalkeeper insisted the squad remains calm and ambitious.
Martinez Warns Inter About Defensive Flaws
Speaking to the press while in camp with the Spanish national team, Martinez addressed the defensive vulnerabilities that have troubled Inter through the opening months of the campaign. As reported by Gazzetta dello Sport, the Spanish goalkeeper pointed directly to the team’s tendency to leak goals and start matches slowly as a primary concern that demands immediate attention from every member of the squad. He also noted that falling behind 2-0, as happened against Roma or Madrid, is a situation best avoided, and expressed regret over the defeat in Madrid while emphasizing that the team went close to getting a result against a high-quality side. The goalkeeper added that the team must avoid giving advantages to rivals because sometimes it goes well and other times it does not.
“It is easy to look backward toward the goalkeeper, but we are a team and from the first to the last of us we must raise the level.”
While acknowledging that such lapses in concentration are unacceptable at the highest level, Martinez expressed confidence that the group is fully aware of the issue and working to correct it.
Overcoming Errors and Squad Unity Under Chivu
However, Inter manager Cristian Chivu consistently defended his goalkeeper and maintained total confidence in the player’s abilities, a backing that Martinez acknowledged with characteristic composure.
“I live everything with tranquility, for better or for worse.” He emphasized that pointing fingers at individuals serves no purpose in a collective sport, stressing that squad unity remains the bedrock of Inter’s locker room culture when teammates suffer a difficult match. He noted that mistakes can happen to anyone and without them there would be fewer goals, explaining that the focus must be on analyzing errors to prevent repeating them.
Martinez Praises Spain Tactical Cohesion and Yamal
Shifting focus to his return to the Spanish national team, Martinez reflected on the unique tactical cohesion engineered by head coach Luis de la Fuente. Having known several teammates since his days coming through the youth ranks at Barcelona and Spain’s junior selections, the goalkeeper expressed astonishment at how quickly a national side achieves club-level synchronization.
Among the standout talents in the Spanish setup, Martinez singled out Lamine Yamal as a player who commands immediate respect and genuine apprehension from opponents. “Yamal is frightening because he still has the desire to improve,” Martinez remarked, highlighting the winger’s relentless drive despite already securing major international honors.
Looking Ahead to Domestic and European Fixtures
With Inter facing a relentless schedule featuring fixtures every three days across Serie A and the UEFA Champions League, Martinez affirmed that the Nerazzurri harbor no limits to their ambitions. Building upon their hunger to win every match, the squad aims to eliminate defensive lapses and hit peak form as the decisive months of the season approach.
