Argentine national team coach Lionel Scaloni feels that Lautaro Martinez and Julian Alvarez can play together.
Speaking in a press conference, as reported by FCInterNews, the Albiceleste coach explained that he doesn’t feel that the Inter Milan and Manchester City strikers would be incompatible in the same lineup.
At the World Cup in Qatar, Inter’s Martinez had been Argentina’s starting striker in their first couple matches.
The 26-year-old was expected to be a key man leading the line for the Albiceleste.
However, Martinez failed to get on the scoresheet in group stage clashes with Saudi Arabia and Mexico.
In the end, this meant that Argentina coach Scaloni turned to Man City striker Alvarez.
The Cityzens player had more luck in the role. He was favoured to start throughout the entire rest of the tournament, including in the final against France.
Martinez – who was reportedly carrying an ankle injury in Qatar – did have his chances to feature. This included scoring the winning penalty in a shootout against the Netherlands.
However, after the match against Mexico, Martinez only ever played as a substitute.
Scaloni: Lautaro Martinez & Julian Alvarez Can Play Together
Now there are some doubts about what decisions Scaloni will make in attack going forward.
Even with Martinez having had a World Cup to forget, the Inter strike’s blistering club form would seemingly make him difficult to leave out of the team.
But at the same time, the same could be said of Alvarez’s obvious quality.
Moreover, the City striker has demonstrated his ability to lead the line for his country.
But according to Scaloni, “I don’t remember if Lautaro and Julian ever started together. But I’d have no problem starting them both.”
“He went on that “They’re both strikers, but they have different characteristics.”
He added that “Julian can play more in a more withdrawn role. What’s important is that the team have the right balance for the right match, and so sometimes they can play together.”
