Aleksandar Kolarov praises 'leader' Lautaro Martinez as Inter Milan top Serie A

With head coach Cristian Chivu losing his voice after a lively night on the touchline, it was the assistant coach who explained why Inter's start to 2026 felt so convincing.

Speaking after the match, Kolarov said the performance was the result of steady progress rather than sudden change. He stressed that the staff had already seen encouraging signs in the previous meeting with Bologna in Riyadh, even if the result there did not fully reflect the display.

"We didn't want to change everything, but to add things," Kolarov said. "In Riyadh we played well but didn't take advantage of our chances. Today the execution was sharper from the first minute."

Inter's control was built on intensity and concentration, qualities Kolarov believes are essential for a team fighting on several fronts. "We work on being present in every minute," he explained. "Details can change a match. It's a shame about the goal we conceded, but overall we dominated and the players deserve credit."

At the heart of it all was Lautaro. Kolarov was clear about the captain's influence going far beyond goals. "Lautaro is our leader, not only on the pitch," he said. "He does this in training too. He never gets a session wrong. He's an example for everyone."

Kolarov also outlined the tactical thinking, explaining how Inter adjusted both with and without the ball. "The 4-4-2 out of possession was prepared," he said. "They are rotations we worked on in training, not a fixed back four."

Asked who is louder on the sideline, Kolarov smiled. "Chivu looks calm, but he isn't. He shouts more," he joked.

With another match coming quickly, the message was clear. "Recovery is fundamental," Kolarov said. "We're top now, but there's still a lot of work to do, and we have to keep the level high."

READ MORE: Bafana skipper reacts to AFCON elimination