Lautaro dazzles as Inter demolish Shakhtar to attain Europa League final
Lautaro Martinez played chief tormentor as Inter Milan claimed an emphatic 5-0 victory against Shakhtar Donetsk to attain the Europa League final and come nearer to an initial title in nine years on Monday.
Argentine striker Martinez, who scored twice, was the pinnacle of a perfect tactical display as Antonio Conte's team setup a clash with five-time champions Sevilla, also thanks to an objective by Danilo D'Ambrosio and a Romelu Lukaku brace.
Shakhtar had their share of possession but didn't threaten a concise Inter side, who eventually completely overwhelmed their opponents.
Sevilla beat Manchester United 2-1 on Sunday to book their place in Friday's showdown.
"It's an unbelievable night, the type we dreamed of. It's been quite a long time since I had played such a match and we've shown that Inter are prepared for the big matches," Martinez told Sky Sport Italia.
"I am happy for the team, which is playing well and growing match after match."
Shakhtar dominated possession as expected but were toothless in advance and Inter opened the scoring with their first chance after 19 minutes.
Nicolo Barella collected a woeful clearance from goalkeeper Andriy Pyatov and raced down the right flank before crossing for Martinez, whose perfectly-timed header went in to the back of the web.
Seeking their first trophy since a 2011 Coppa Italia triumph, Inter controlled Shakhtar, who pinged the ball around without having to be able to take it forward prior to the 43rd minute, when Marcos Antonio fired a shot just over the bar.
Pyatov made up for his earlier mistake with a outstanding save four minutes into the second half, tipping the ball wide to deny Martinez who had attempted an excellent loop from 30 metres.
Shakhtar, who hadn't mustered an individual shot on target in the first half, still didn't threaten following the break until the 62nd minute when Junior Morales headed the ball straight at Samir Handanovic.
"We've had a great campaign in Europe but this result was a big disappointment. We couldn't show our football. Their second goal destroyed us mentally," said Shakhtar's Davit Khocholava.
"Inter have two fantastic strikers. It was very difficult to play against them in one-on-one situations."
Inter were just more clinical.
Two minutes later, D'Ambrosio headed home from Barella's corner to make it 2-0.
REMARKABLE MARTINEZ
Martinez curled in a perfect shot in the 74th to cap a exceptional individual performance, dashing any hope of a comeback by Shakhtar.
Martinez, who before his brace hadn't previously scored in the competition, then turned provider releasing Lukaku on the right for the Belgian striker to create it 4-0 from within the box.
Lukaku has scored in 10 consecutive Europa League matches and by making another cool finish by the end of powerful run seven minutes from time, he's now one short of Ronaldo's mark of 34 goals in a single season for Inter in 1997-98.
"We certainly are a team that is growing daily, there are both young and experienced players. That is fundamental in a team, so the less experienced can follow anyone who has more experience," added Martinez.
"Sevilla certainly are a strong team. We will attempt to prepare as best we are able to for this match, we hope that everything goes well and that the Cup can head to Inter."
