Italian journalist Mario Sconcerti believes that Inter striker Lautaro Martinez’s form has not been as consistent playing alongside Edin Dzeko as it had been alongside Romelu Lukaku.
Writing in his column for Italian news outlet Calciomercato.com, Sconcerti emphasized the impact that changing from the Belgian to the Bosnian as a strike partner has had on Martinez’s performances this season.
Martinez has not had a poor season by any stretch, rewarding the club’s contract extension with a good volume of goals in Serie A, but at the same time the Argentine has rarely turned up in the biggest matches.
This was underlined with his ineffective performance in Wednesday’s massive Champions League clash with Liverpool, when the 24-year-old failed to register a single shot on target against a formidable Reds defense in a 2-0 loss.
For Sconcerti, the chemistry that the striker has with Dzeko is not what it had been with Lukaku, and this partly accounts for his inconsistent form this campaign so far.
“The real change that Lautaro has suffered is the transition to a new partner,” Sconcerti writes. “Lukaku was the one who dragged opponents away, leaving him only the task of shooting.”
“Dzeko looks for him from behind, often tries to play the ball to him, doesn’t take away his marker,” he continues. “Lautaro has lost the chance to use his best qualities which are speed and accurate shooting.”
“He has to do more because he is 24 and plays for a team who are excellent in attack,” Sconcerti goes on. “He must continue his growth, but he will never be someone who scores thirty goals.”
“He is a striker, not a center forward,” he explained. “His greatest moments come when he suddenly appears out of the dark. When doing this he’s lethal. Today he plays under a full spotlight.”
