Josep Martinez, 28, continues to struggle with his performances at Inter Milan, contributing to the team’s second consecutive defeat in the Champions League. The Italian media has been highly critical of coach Cristi Chivu for his unwavering support of Martinez, urging him to consider benching the goalkeeper in favor of Ivan Provedel, stating, “You cannot afford to play in the Champions League with such a blunderer!”.
This season, Martinez has conceded 14 goals in eight matches, including six in the first two Champions League games. His errors led to goals from Real Madrid and Club Brugge, in addition to three goals allowed in a Serie A match against Udinese. These dismal statistics reflect the struggles of the goalkeeper chosen to replace Yann Sommer, who ironically returned to the Giuseppe Meazza as an opponent on Tuesday.
“I am not upset at all; on the contrary, I am pleased with my team’s character. We have overcome difficult moments, and after certain mistakes, I was interested in the reaction and body language of the players. We tried to be dominant, which makes me optimistic for the future. Mistakes are part of the game,” stated Cristi Chivu, following the 1-2 loss to Real Madrid.
Alfredo Pedullà Critiques Chivu’s Coaching Decisions
Josep Martinez was called up for the Spanish national team as the third goalkeeper due to Joan Garcia’s injury. However, he made a costly error during a critical moment, allowing a goal that severely undermined Inter’s chances of a comeback from a two-goal deficit.
The persistence in retaining Martinez, who was signed from Genoa for €14 million in 2024, has drawn sharp criticism from the Italian press. Alfredo Pedullà of SportItalia did not hold back, stating, “He needs to get into a spaceship and come back down to Earth because he is on a planet of his own!”
Before the match against Parma, when asked if Provedel would play, Chivu replied, “I don’t think so,” as if this were not a significant issue. This dismissal of a pressing concern is alarming.
Inter spent €3 million securing Ivan Provedel from Lazio to fill the gap left by Yann Sommer’s departure to Club Brugge, yet Provedel has yet to play a minute for the team.
Press Concerns Over Goalkeeping Decisions
Pedullà further critiqued Chivu’s approach, suggesting that the team has serious goalkeeping issues. He stated, “Mistakes continued in the match against Brugge. Inter has a serious problem with goalkeepers because, I repeat, this is why you lose. The team appeared schizophrenic.”
If Martinez had not conceded that incredible goal, the match could have unfolded differently, but you cannot have a Champions League goalkeeper making such errors.
“I believe the hierarchy is not being respected. There’s a difference between gratitude and recognition. The coach needs to get into a spaceship, return to Earth, land in Appiano, and realize he has a serious problem in choosing the starting goalkeeper today,” Pedullà concluded. “Because, Josep Martinez, you cannot make those mistakes in the Champions League, especially when they are not the first of the season.”
