Best Soccer Formations: The Philosophy, History, Pros and Cons Behind the Numbers
Take a look at the best soccer formations that are synonymous with the sport and have marked entire eras.
Even his biggest critics can't deny that Romelu Lukaku has made leaps and bounds as a player since arriving at Inter a year and a half ago. Antonio Conte needs a target man for his tactics to work and the former Manchester United has slotted in perfectly at that role.
The improvement he made at an advanced age is astounding and the big striker revealed one of the secrets of his success. Conte having him battle it out with the 195 centimetres tall and 82 kilograms heavy Andrea Ranochia for three straight months, only with his back against the goal. Nothing else.
"For the first three months at Inter, Conte did nothing but train me with my back to the goal. At each training, he would put Ranocchia behind me and asked him to go hard against me. Every time I lost the ball, we had to start the drill again," revealed Lukaku in a conversation with France Football.
Romelu has already surpassed his Manchester United goalscoring record, in 26 games fewer! In 96 games for the English side he scored 42 times, and he already got to 50 for the Nerazzurri.
Meaning that he also beat Inter's record for the fastest accumulation of 50 goals, previously held by the legendary Brazilian Ronaldo, R9.
Lukaku has improved leaps and bounds and has boosted his assist record, having nine at Inter so far, four fewer than at his whole time at United.
"Sometimes you have to know how to work for the team, in all humility, without necessarily reaping the benefits directly, especially when you feel that it is not your day in terms of finishing," explained Lukaku.
This season, Lukaku has scored 16 goals in 19 matches and recorded three assists.
