Martinez Errors Spark Inter Goalkeeper Debate

The roar from the San Siro stands spilled into the night air, a deafening wall of sound that masked the tension in the penalty box. Inter Milan had just sealed a 5-3 victory over Udinese, keeping their perfect start to the 2026-27 Serie A season intact. The scoreboard glowed with their dominance, yet beneath the celebration, a different narrative was forming. It centered on Josep Martinez, the goalkeeper whose recent performance has shifted from steady to shaky, casting a long shadow over the Nerazzurri’s defense.

This is Martinez’s first season as the undisputed number one. He arrived from Genoa in 2024, initially lurking in the background while Yann Sommer held the fort. Now, with Sommer gone, the Spanish keeper stands alone in the frame. The club’s decision to reinvest transfer funds elsewhere rather than chase a star name has been tested, and the pressure is beginning to crack the surface.

Real Madrid Exposed the Weakness

The doubt first surfaced in Riyadh, where the Champions League semifinal against Bologna had just ended, but it truly crystallized last week in Madrid. In the opening test of the European campaign, Martinez found himself isolated inside his own six-yard box. Alessandro Bastoni delivered a routine pass, a standard piece of defensive geometry. Martinez touched the ball, but his second action faltered. He hesitated. That split-second pause was enough for Federico Valverde to explode forward, close the gap, and slide the ball past the keeper. The goal made it 2-0 for Madrid inside twenty-three minutes, a stark reminder of the cost of hesitation.

Udinese Punished the Hesitation

Monday evening brought another opportunity for redemption, and another mistake. The atmosphere in San Siro was electric, the grass slick under the floodlights. Keinan Davis outmuscled Andy Diouf in the box, setting up a low, dangerous cross. Jurgen Ekkelenkamp met it with a deft touch. Martinez, positioned poorly with too much space open at his near post, was completely fooled. The ball nestled into the net, and the crowd gasped. It was the second consecutive error, a pattern that La Gazzetta dello Sport has now flagged as a critical concern.

Provedel Eyes the Starting Spot

Inter did bring in Ivan Provedel during the summer, a low-cost veteran signed to provide competition. The 33-year-old has been watching from the bench, his presence a quiet constant. Now, with Martinez’s confidence waning, Provedel is looking at the starting XI with fresh interest. The Spanish tabloid questions whether the club should hand the gloves to the more experienced Italian, seeking security over the potential of the current starter. The debate is no longer theoretical; it is a live issue in the locker room.