Inter Milan strikers Marcus Thuram and Lautaro Martinez have proven to be the most effective attacking pair in top level European football this season.
Today’s print edition of Rome-based newspaper Corriere dello Sport, via FCInterNews, hail the duo’s impact and statistics.
Among top level teams in Europe, strike pairs are not as common as they used to be.
It’s not as though playing with two up top is unheard of. There are plenty of coaches who at least sometimes rely on partnerships of two out-and-out centre-forwards.
But there are more and more teams opting more for 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 systems. These tend to have a lone striker, with support coming from wide attackers and midfielders rather than another centre-forward.
One team that do notably play with two strikers is Inter.
Under Simone Inzaghi, the Nerazzurri have virtually never deviated from the 3-5-2 system. And whilst there have been different dynamics within that formation, the relationship between the two strikers is always vital.
Inter Duo Thuram & Lautaro Europe’s Top Strike Pair
Inter have not only played with two strikers this season – they’ve been a great advertisement for the system.
The likes of Alexis Sanchez and Marko Arnautovic haven’t necessarily provided much impact when they’ve played.
But when Thuram and Martinez take to the pitch together, the magic seems to happen.
As the Corriere note, the pair have managed fourteen goals and nine assists between them.
Inzaghi’s system has proven perfect to get the most attacking production out of both of them. And, conversely, each striker has looked to have exactly the right traits and quality to breathe life into Inzaghi’s ideas.
In truth, Thuram and Martinez are way off in the distance in terms of the rankings of striker duos in Europe.
Atletico Madrid pairing Alvaro Morata and Antoine Griezmann are the next in line. They have combined for nine goals, albeit no assists.
But it is the Nerazzurri pair who are the real shining light as far as strike partnerships at the moment.
