Italian journalist Luigi Garlando feels that the lack of goals from Inter striker Lautaro Martinez at the World Cup in Qatar so far is just indicative of a broader trend of the tournament not being one where out-and-out goalscorers have thrived.
Writing in his column published in today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews, Garlando noted that the 25-year-old Nerazzurri striker’s struggles have been far from an isolated incident in Qatar.
Martinez had gone into the World Cup expected to be one of Argentina’s key players.
The Nerazzurri striker had specifically established himself as a regular in the Albiceleste’s starting eleven because he has been a reliable source of goals for them in the past.
However, in Qatar Martinez has not gotten on the scoresheet once, and dropped out of the starting eleven.
In truth, as Garlando notes, this World Cup has yet to see any out-and-out striker take a really starring role, whilst defenders and midfielders have tended to be the players to put in really outstanding performances.
“The football of great number nines appears to be one that no longer exists,” Garlando writes.
“This is certainly true when we look at the semifinalists in Qatar.”
“Look at Lautaro Martinez, Argentina’s number nine, who has yet to score within ninety minutes at the tournament, only finding the back of the net in a penalty shootout.”
