Last weekend, Inter achieved their most significant result of the season yet.

The Nerazzurri thrashed city rivals AC Milan 5–1.

That was the kind of result and performance that can only be interpreted as a major statement of intent for the season to come.

It was the fifth time in 2023 in which Inter have beaten the Rossoneri. And it has seen the Nerazzurri maintain their perfect start to the season and place at the top of the table.

But Inter can hardly rest on their laurels.

The Nerazzurri are now coming into a phase of their season where they’ll be playing twice a week.

The introduction of Champions League fixtures gives Inter a far more demanding schedule.

According to Martinez, Inter are not riding high on the derby momentum anymore. They’ve knuckled down and prepared for a completely new challenge in their Champions League group stage opener.

“Last season’s final has left us with an important sense,” Martinez said.

“But this is a new season already, and we have to do well if we’re going to repeat last season,” he continued.

The Inter captain said that “We have to face the difficulties all together. Like we’ve done in the past.

He made clear that “We celebrated the derby win. But now another competition is beginning.”

“We’ve recovered physically and are ready for the Champions League.”

Of his burgeoning strike partnership with Marcus Thuram, Martinez said that “I’m happy, because he’s a great person and a great striker. So I’m happy to play with him.”

“Marcus arrived in a league where he’s not yet familiar with the style of football,” the Nerazzurri captain noted.