A superhero-style goal announced a full recovery, a scene eagerly anticipated by all Inter Milan fans. In the match against Empoli, the Nerazzurri struggled to break the deadlock, but captain Lautaro stepped up outside the box, drawing a beautiful arc with the ball. Despite the opposing goalkeeper's best efforts to touch it, he could not prevent it from finding the net. This was the image of Lautaro that people had in their hearts, but it had been rare this season.
After the game, Lautaro said, "I went through a tough period before, but I always tried to help the team. I believe I did even during that time. Now my physical condition is good, and I'm returning to last year's form." As the fans put it, the Inter forward finally switched to a larger size, leaving Martinez to his homeland, Argentina.
There were signs of this in the Supercup final loss to AC Milan, where Lautaro's adjustments within the box were light-footed, lacking the heaviness of the early season, seemingly reminiscent of his previous form against Milan. Unfortunately, they were ultimately overturned, largely overshadowing Lautaro's signs of recovery. Against Bologna, Lautaro was repeatedly targeted by the opposition defense, but he not only fulfilled his duties of dropping back to receive the ball and assist, but also scored a goal in a very stylish manner. Similar opportunities had seen Lautaro waste countless chances this season.
The recovery of both body and mind has been beneficial. The mentality can be observed through ball handling, while the changes in the body are visibly noticeable. Starting from the past month, Lautaro's "flapping belly" has disappeared, replaced by sunken cheeks, an external manifestation of strict self-discipline that ultimately presented itself on the field in a light and agile manner. Before scoring in this game, Lautaro hid behind the referee, wanting to signal to his teammates to pass but fearing being too conspicuous and drawing attention. Perhaps Lautaro's previous form had relaxed Empoli's vigilance, as he found himself unmarked when receiving the ball, allowing him to shoot directly and powerfully, at which point Empoli realized they were still within Lautaro's range.
To measure a striker's excellence, one need only look at whether their goal tally exceeds their expected goals. After this game, Lautaro's league expected goals stood at 7.45, with an actual tally of 8, just exceeding the expectation, and not including penalties, giving his goals a certain level of quality, differing from the perception that Lautaro had squandered numerous chances. However, it is true that many of Lautaro's goals are of high difficulty, with inherently low goal expectations.
Despite facing relegation-threatened Empoli, the match was actually of high quality. Inter Milan faced pressure from Napoli's continued lead at the top of the table and encountered significant resistance in their attacking organization in the first half. Lautaro's shot from a standing position opened up the game, potentially marking a turning point for the entire season, as fans' biggest hope for the second half of the season was Lautaro's return to form. He was substituted in the 78th minute to a standing ovation, the best recognition of his efforts.
Not only Lautaro, but Inter Milan as a whole seemed like an old car at risk of veering off course. Having reached this stage of the season, the defending champions have yet to reach their peak, but championship contenders always save their best form for the most intense stages of competition, much like Juventus in their era of fierce competition. Denzel Dumfries has performed exceptionally well since his contract extension, scoring four goals in the past five games, each one spectacular, earning him the nickname "Flying Dutchman." His astonishing leaps make him seem like a flying man living in the sky.
Empoli, though only one point above the relegation zone, is no weak opponent, capable of displaying impressive overall defense and combat strength. However, they have a flaw: once their pressing is withstood, Empoli tends to crumble due to fatigue. They did not collapse in this match because Esposito seized the opportunity, briefly bringing Empoli back to 1-2 against his former club. He made an apologetic gesture instead of celebrating, and his league goal tally now matches Lautaro's at eight, with even lower expected goals, something many did not anticipate. Seeing his successful development at Empoli has brought joy to many Inter fans.
Also brimming with energy was substitute Marcus Thuram, who sealed the victory with an assist from Arnautovic. A starting player coming off the bench to score is a positive sign, conserving their energy while maintaining a scoring rhythm. Inter is reaping the benefits of a deep bench, with standout performances from Augusto and Asllani in this match. Taremi has yet to open his account, but assistant coach Farris encouraged him post-game, believing that he just needs a goal to break the ice.
Lautaro even took the opportunity to support his young teammate Asllani: "I've received too much criticism? I only think about how to improve and move forward. I also hope to pass on this mindset to Asllani. He's still young and needs time to grow, but he's always doing his utmost to help the team, fully committed to the pitch. We need players who will defend this jersey, and we've all done that. Our fans should walk with us, as every player has given their all for Inter, and we're proud of each other."
Lautaro has now caught up with Icardi to become the second-highest foreign goal scorer in Inter's history. At 27, Lautaro has become a symbol of the club, having experienced all the difficulties and also capable of leading the younger players to maturity.