Who did Argentina choose to partner Messi? Lautaro scored 5 goals in 3 games to challenge Alvarez
It's national team match day again, and Argentine fans can't wait to see how the team performs. A total of 10 teams in the South American zone of the World Preliminary Round will get 7.5 tickets to the World Cup, which should be a pure training opportunity for strong teams.
Argentina will naturally also prepare for an expanded version of the Copa America in a year's time, so will Lautaro, who has scored five goals in the past three Serie A games, replace Alvarez, who has shone in the World Cup and scored four goals, as Messi's partner again?
01. Lautaro is a tactical centre-forward: he can hold up a system
a. Confrontation and ball maturation: speed is Lautaro's disadvantage
In the first three Serie A games of the new season, Lautaro scored five goals and was hot at his feet. More importantly, his greatest contribution is not only to score goals, but also to support a tactical system.
Because Lautaro has a strong ability to fight, he can receive the first point of long passes, and can also actively participate in the counter-grabbing and pressing in the front court.
This wave of attack is typical, with a long pass from goalkeeper Sommer and Lautaro taking the ball past the Fiorentina defender, followed by a beautiful shift to find Bastoni who followed on the left.
When Bastona advanced to shoot from distance near the box, Lautaro also followed up in the middle, but the additional shot flew away. Lautaro's problem is that his shots are indeed erratic, and if he doesn't have a large enough shooting base, he can play a few chances.
Not only up front, but also when the team pushes the ball in the back, Lautaro can also pull back to make the ball. Under Inter's two-striker system, Lautaro has always taken on that "high" role, in other words, he is the fulcrum.
Thuram Jr., who replaced Romelu Lukaku, was successful from the start of the season because he had a good speed with the ball, after all, the winger debuted and was still in tune with Lautaro.
Serie A rivalry is relatively weak, so Lautaro's pivot role will be more obvious. This kind of space behind the ball and turning around and sending a wonderful pass to the opposing defense, Lautaro is still very comfortable.
Thuram Jr. dribbled the ball forward, Lautaro has average absolute speed, and it is a bit difficult for him to keep up. A teammate made a foul and won a well-placed free-kick.
Lautaro's foot technique is not bad, after all, he is also a South American attacker. But his speed is relatively slow, which is also his biggest flaw compared to Alvarez.
Just like this kind of footing to get rid of and tease opponents, Lautaro can often do it. But if you want to shake off the defenders later, it will be difficult. It is more common for the opponent to be fouled or the second person to assist in the defense of the ball.
b. Lautaro needs to be used as the main attacker
Although Lautaro likes to take the initiative to find one-on-one confrontations in the game, he also has a high degree of commitment on the defensive end. However, he is also a positive striker, and in terms of his technical characteristics, he is more suitable as the main attack point of the team.
After all, he is not known for his speed, and his shooting is also inconsistent, allowing him to frequently involve cover, which will only further reduce his offensive efficiency.
This time he received a cross from Cuadrado, and Lautaro, who snatched a penalty shot in front of goal, received a wonderful goal.
The centre-forward's awareness in front of goal is still very good, and if you use him as the main attack point and feed him, you can also get a good return.
In addition, because Lautaro is not fast, he is suitable for retreating to receive the ball on the counter-attack, and after splitting the ball as a center forward, he does not have the ball to insert the empty position.
Thuram Jr.'s job of taking the ball and pulling the side to pass the ball as a wing-striker is still good.
This time on the counter-attack, Bastoni split the ball on the flank and Thuram Jr. kept pausing to pass Lautaro, who calmly shot straight at the goalkeeper to score.
Thuram Jr. replaced Lukaku very well, so when he celebrated, he wanted to follow the exclusive actions of Lautaro and Lukaku, but unfortunately the Argentine refused.
02. Alvarez: Auxiliaries by the main attacker's side
a. Core competencies: more sprint runs + more efficient shots
With Alvarez, you can hardly say that he is a better striker than Lautaro. He can score four goals in the World Cup, replacing the former as Messi's partner, and the key is that Alvarez has a higher proportion of sprint runs and a little faster, while shooting much more efficiently than Lautaro.
Just like this time he created the penalty, Alvarez showed his strengths in the timing of the forward and the speed of the receiver.
Falling to the ground with the ball in the box to win a penalty was actually seen in the World Cup semi-final against Croatia.
The goal against Newcastle was Manchester City's disjointed position on the front and back lines. Because Jolrington's defensive awareness is flawed, there will be a vacuum between Newcastle's two defensive lines when other midfielders can't come back.
Alvarez took advantage of such an opportunity, and Kovaci made a fantastic pass to Foden, who returned the pass, and the following Alvarez played a high-quality shot from the big penalty area line.
The ball was an opportunity, but not an absolute chance, and the player who could score in this position, Messi was typical, Alvarez also did well.
b. Offensive interspersion: Alvarez can break forward and play as a second striker
As mentioned above, Alvarez's speed advantage and frequent sprint runs make him more suitable than Lautaro as a forward arrow.
At the same time, Alvarez can retreat to the second line, as a second striker to cut into the box or complete some tandem passes.
Like this wave of breaking defenses in the middle, Alvarez's pass to Haaland, although the ball was actually passed a little off course, but the opposing defender's mistake made Haaland shoot straight to the goalkeeper to score.
Looking at the goal this time, it was still from Kovacic's straight block, Haaland cut in the ribs of the box while Alvarez followed up well in the middle and scored an easy goal.
Alvarez still has a lot to do in the forward line, which also allows him to switch roles at any time by Messi's side.
03. America's Cup 1 year later: Should Lautaro be reused?
a. Success at the World Cup: thanks to the sprint run of the whole team
In the World Cup, the running output of the entire Argentine team is very amazing, and even Messi's running volume is higher than in 2014 when he was at his peak.
Under this style of play, Alvarez, who is more mobile and more applicable, has played better results.
But a year later, in the Copa America, should Argentina continue to use Alvarez? If Lautaro's shooting efficiency returns to normal, perhaps Alvarez should be the team's second choice.
After all, South American teams are known for their small and agile moves, and Alvarez's value will shrink. As a positive center forward, Lautaro's countervailing power will be more useful.
b. Post-Messi era: Will Lautaro be the choice of Argentina?
As mentioned above, Lautaro is probably really green as a tactical green leaf because of his lack of speed and shooting efficiency.
As we age (the percentage of sprints without the ball always drops), Lautaro should be used as a striker. He has been so efficient at scoring goals at Inter this season and is also supported by the team because he averaged 5.3 shots per game.
It is even said that as Messi gets older, if he is no longer an absolute workhorse in the future, Lautaro should perhaps become Argentina's striker and give Enzo Fernandes more playmaker.
Of course, this scene should not happen in the Copa America in 1 year, but the World Cup in 3 years may really have this possibility.
Conclusion:
In the next World Qualifiers, it is possible for Argentina to use anyone as Messi's forward partner, especially since the promotion of the South American zone of the World Qualifiers is too easy.
In addition, after playing with the national team, Lautaro will return to the club for the Milan derby, which may also be a key battle to determine the trend of the Serie A title race this season.