Italian journalist Matteo Marani believes that Inter striker Lautaro Martinez is still more than capable of turning his World Cup around in the climactic latter stages of the tournament in Qatar.
Speaking to Italian broadcaster Sky Sport Italia, via FCInterNews, the journalist stressed that if the Nerazzurri striker can finally make a telling contribution in the semifinal or final, he can write an important chapter in his country’s footballing history.
Martinez has had a disappointing World Cup so far.
The 25-year-old has been benched for Argentina’s last three matches, and has not scored or assisted a goal yet.
Martinez’s decisive penalty in a shootout over the Netherlands was the most positive moment of his tournament so far, but he has yet to really show why he was expected to be a key player for the Albiceleste.
However, Argentina will have a semifinal tomorrow against Croatia in which the Inter striker could either start or come off the bench, and then potentially an appearance in the final should they win tomorrow.
If Martinez is able to finally have an impact in the next two rounds of the tournament, it would all but erase the poor start that he has endured.
“He was and still is Inter’s biggest certainty while they’ve waited for Lukaku to get back to his best,” Marani said of Martinez.
“We could have expected more from him at the World Cup, but there are still two more matches in which he could write an important chapter in Argentina’s history,” he added.