The burgeoning strike partnership between Romelu Lukaku and Lautaro Martinez has been strengthened by the influence of Inter coach Antonio Conte, according to Federico Balzaretti.
Belgian striker Lukaku netted a brace after Martinez had earlier scored in the second half of Inter’s comprehensive 4-0 win over Benevento in Serie A on Saturday, with the pair now on 14 and 10 league goals respectively. The duo became the first pair to reach double figures in Serie A this season.
Speaking to Italian television channel DAZN yesterday, former Roma and Italy left-back Balzaretti suggested that it was the influence of Conte that had made the partnership so successful, particularly as their individual skills did not suggest a natural pairing.
“As an attacking partnership they do not appear to complement each other, as both could play as the main striker,” Balzaretti claimed.
“They have found such a strong bond thanks to the coach. It must be recognised that Conte improved his strikers a lot and made them work well together. Martinez and Lukaku did not seem to be a natural fit a year-and-a-half ago, but he made it happen.
“With the numbers they have produced, we must acknowledge the great work done by Antonio Conte,” Balzaretti concluded.
After netting twice against Benevento, Lukaku moved on to 20 goals for the season in all competitions, and has found the net 54 times in just 77 games for Inter since joining from Premier League club Manchester United in 2019.
Argentina international Martinez, meanwhile, has struck 11 times across all competitions this term.