Just what kind of player have Inter signed in Lautaro Martinez? That’s the question Gazzetta dello Sport have tried to answer in their Friday paper. Here’s how Adriano Seu describes the talented 20 year-old:
“Lautaro can play both as a no. 9 and a second striker,” he writes, “but he can also play on both wings (preferably on the left though, so that he can cut inside onto his right foot).
“He has a skill set which makes him the ideal wingman for Icardi but also an option out wide in a 4-2-3-1, where he played occasionally for Academia. However he fits nicely into a 4-4-2 formation too, as well as a 3-5-2 and a hypothetical 3-4-2-1.
“Gifted with an excellent positional sense, Lautaro’s speciality is making diagonal runs in behind the opposition defence, but he’s also good with his back to goal when playing between opposing defenders. He reads the game well, he’s devastating on the counter-attack and he’s good at releasing his teammates into space.
“Other specialities of his are late runs into the box and the ability to receive the ball while under pressure from opponents, enabling his team to transition quickly either by turning on a sixpence or feeding an onrushing team-mate.
“One of his greatest qualities is mobility, which allows him to never give any reference points to his opponents, while he also has a powerful and precise shot on him. And then there’s his mental strength, determination and willingness to sacrifice himself for the cause.
“His only weak spot at the moment is perhaps his heading ability, but he can work on that given his powerful physique. For his style of play Lautaro reminds you of Sergio Aguero during his Atletico Madrid days, despite the fact that his greatest idols are Luis Suarez and Radamel Falcao.”
