Ex-Inter striker Julio Cruz has expressed how excited he is to potentially see Lautaro Martinez and Joaquin Correa start together for Inter against Bologna on Saturday, according to a report in the Italian media today.

Speaking during an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, Julio Cruz explained that the pair have what they need to be very successful for Inter as their attributes are different and compliment each other very well.

“It is strange not to have seen them on the pitch together, but they have everything they need to fly: they are two complementary forwards, who know how to attack the goal well but also work for the team, both when there is the need to defend and when there is a need to attack.

“We all know Toro, he is someone who lives for the goal and knows how to be lethal inside the area. Correa prefers to start from further back and use his dribbling ability.”

When asked about whether Lautaro Martinez can handle being the main striker now that Romelu Lukaku has left the club, Julio Cruz suggested that he is on the right track to become a real leader for Inter.

“He has collected a very heavy legacy, Lukaku at Inter proved to be a devastating player, at times unstoppable. If he’s ready to be a leader, the pitch will tell him, I think it’s still early days, but he’s already on the right track.

“He loves working for the team, being the first to go under pressure to help in the defence, but his habitat is the penalty area. And that’s where it has to make a difference.”

Julio Cruz also discussed the different elements to forward [play that Joaquin Correa can bring in comparison to Edin Dzeko. The key difference that he highlights is in relation to Joaquin Correa’s lack of deadly finishing, and Edin Dzeko’s tendency to link with the midfielder’s more.

“Joaquin Correa has a fantastic technique, and in one-on-one situations, he is very hard to stop. And lately, he has also improved in front of goal, I see him as not being as good of a finisher.

“Dzeko is a true centre forward who likes to come and talk to the midfielders, Correa is more a predator of space.”