‘His legs have gone' – Rio Ferdinand & Michael Owen dissect Martinez's penalty ‘shocker’ in Inter Milan defeat to Atleti

TNT Sports pundit Rio Ferdinand believes nerves got the better of Lautaro Martinez, as his nightmare penalty cost Inter Milan a place in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals.

The Spanish side had earlier sent the game to extra-time courtesy of a late strike from Memphis Depay, which levelled the tie at 2-2 on aggregate.

And after goalkeeper Jan Oblak had saved penalties from Alexis Sanchez and Davy Klaassen, Martinez clattered over the bar before looking suspiciously at the pitch.

“As he was walking up, I saw he tried to keep the ball up and just flick the ball up into his hands," Ferdinand told TNT Sports. "But he fumbled it as he was doing it.

"And I was going ‘oh my god, he can’t keep the ball up, he’s nervous! Oh, he’s gone. His legs have gone.’

"He puts the ball down and from that point on, I wasn’t confident about it. I said he’d miss. He looks back at the actual penalty spot as well. He’s on a carpet!"

Martinez was part of the Inter side who reached last year's final, where they were eventually beaten by Manchester City.

There will be no such heroics this year, although Simone Inzaghi's side can at least console themselves with the fact they are 16 points clear at the top of Serie A.

The night may well live long in the memory of their captain though, even though he was not the only player who failed to convert from the spot.

"I thought the penalty from Klaassen, that was a great save," added TNT Sports' Michael Owen. "Oblak’s one of the top goalkeepers in the world.

"The first two penalties [Atletico Madrid's Saul Niguez also had a penalty saved] that were missed were shocking penalties!

"Martinez turned around and looked at the penalty spot, I’m not quite sure why, but you’ve got to blame someone! It’s never your fault, is it! That was a shocker.

"The pressure is huge, absolutely huge on penalties. I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy, taking a penalty under that pressure.

"I didn’t particularly enjoy it. I don’t think anyone enjoys it. There’s no joy. It’s just relief when you hit the back of the net."

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