Inter Milan will miss Lautaro Martinez once again in Sunday’s Milan derby, and a telling statistic from Transfermarkt highlights the gravity of this absence ahead of such a pivotal match.
The Argentina captain currently leads the top five European leagues with nine game-winning goals this season, goals that have directly influenced the outcomes of matches, as noted via L’Interista.
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Following him are Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe, each with eight, underscoring Lautaro’s role not only as Inter’s leading scorer but also as one of the most impactful players in European football when it comes to securing victories.
Milan vs Inter – The Impact of Lautaro’s Absence as He Proves Critics Wrong
UDINE, ITALY – JANUARY 17: Lautaro Martinez of FC Internazionale warms up before the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and FC Internazionale at Stadio Friuli on January 17, 2026. (Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images)
The notion that he fails to perform in crucial matches is unfounded.
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His statistics in high-pressure situations tell a different story, and Cristian Chivu will particularly feel the impact of Lautaro’s absence in a derby where every moment counts and a single moment of brilliance can determine the outcome.
The responsibility now lies with Pio Esposito and Marcus Thuram.
While both have made contributions this season, finding a suitable replacement for Lautaro’s talent, leadership, and winning mentality poses a significant challenge.
This is one area of genuine concern for Inter as they approach a match that could nearly clinch the Scudetto.