Stadio Giovanni Zini had only seen four goals scored by their side in the league going into this match, but La Cremo’s fanatical supporters witnessed a real treat just 11 minutes in, as David Okereke cut inside Hakan Calhanoglu and curled a simply outstanding strike in off the woodwork.
While this meant Inter’s wait for an away league clean sheet continues this term, their equaliser arrived swiftly when Martínez clinically converted his 10th league goal of the season after Edin Dzeko’s initial strike was patted towards the Argentine.
In a blistering period full of attacking threat, Marco Benassi’s instinctive flick was stopped by Andre Onana and Martinez fizzed another effort agonisingly wide before the half-hour mark.
There was also a big opportunity apiece shortly before the break, although Daniel Ciofani couldn’t guide his effort on target, whereas Marco Carnesecchi ensured he wasn’t beaten by another Martinez rebound after the goalkeeper had parried Federico Dimarco’s strike.
Dimarco tested Carnesecchi again after the restart, but Cremonese initially stood strong and provided their own moments of promise on the break.
Ballardini showed intent by introducing Cyriel Dessers and Felix Afena-Gyan on the hour mark, but moments after Johan Vasquez had blocked Džeko’s shot, the Mexican’s attempt at stopping a Martínez strike only deflected the ball into the net for the Argentine’s sixth goal in as many games across all competitions.
Cristian Buonaiuto’s goalbound effort was halted by Matteo Darmian, as Cremonese became the first Serie A team since Ancona in 2003/04 to fail to win any of their first 20 matches in a campaign.
While Inter suffered six losses in the first half of the campaign for the first time since 2016/17 when they failed to qualify for European competition, this victory gets the second half of their campaign off to a winning start and leaves them second for now.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan)
