Lautaro Martinez sets Champions League target as Inter Milan prepare for Real Madrid test

Inter Milan captain Lautaro Martinez says winning the Champions League is a realistic objective this season, but believes his side must produce their best performance to overcome Real Madrid in their opening match of the 2026-27 competition.

Martinez and his Inter team-mates will face Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday evening, with the Italian club arriving in the Spanish capital determined to make a strong start to their European campaign.

The Argentina striker spoke at a news conference alongside Inter head coach Cristian Chivu after the squad reached Madrid.

Real Madrid completed their media commitments first, as is customary for the home side. Kylian Mbappe, who has previously said he supports Milan, described Inter as a team worthy of respect and Martinez as one of the best strikers in world football.

“I heard what he said. We will face a team with many champions, but we have our own weapons and players who show they are at the highest level year after year,” Martinez said.

“We have prepared well and recovered our energy. We know who we are playing against, and Mbappe is certainly one of the best strikers in the world.”

Inter have regularly produced impressive performances against Europe’s leading clubs. During their run in the 2024-25 Champions League, they defeated an excellent Barcelona side and Bayern Munich, who had been among the leading contenders for the trophy before the tournament began.

Asked what enabled Inter to perform so effectively against elite opposition, Martinez said the team adapts its approach to each opponent.

“It depends on the teams we face. We adapt ourselves according to the opponent, and it is natural that we follow what the coach asks us to do,” he said.

Inter’s elimination in the last 16 of last season’s Champions League was regarded as a major disappointment. Martinez said the players had to use that experience constructively.

“We left the competition early last year, but it is important to learn from our mistakes. I am looking forward to giving my best and leading Inter as far as possible this year,” he said.

Although Inter have a strong collective record against Europe’s biggest clubs, Martinez has not always enjoyed the most prolific scoring record in those fixtures. He did, however, score in Inter’s latest major Serie A match, a victory over Napoli at the weekend.

“The most important thing is that Inter win. I have heard everything that has been said, but I scored many important goals before Saturday. I focus on teamwork, and that is what I have always tried to do. The group is more important than the individual,” Martinez said.

“It was an important victory against Napoli, but the road is still very long.”

The 28-year-old was also asked whether winning the Champions League was a genuine target for Inter or merely a dream.

“It is a goal. We all have dreams, but this is more than an obsession. We have to remain calm, and we know there are many strong teams. It is definitely a goal for us. Since I first came here, I have repeated that we must work hard to bring as many trophies as possible to Inter,” he said.

Martinez was then asked about Real Madrid and former Inter manager Jose Mourinho.

“It is a difficult question because I was not at Inter at that time. He certainly deserves a lot of respect for what he achieved with Inter, but we are focused on the present and want to give our best against Madrid,” Martinez said.