Cds: Castro shines as Bologna enjoy Lautaro’s heir | OneFootball

Bologna’s Santiago Castro stole the scene during his side’s 2-2 draw at the San Siro, as he once again proved his worth, this time against one of the Serie A sides that may be looking at him in the future to replace one of their biggest stars.

The 20-year-old joined the Rossoblu one year ago and took little to start drawing comparisons with Lautaro Martinez due to his playing style, as he boasts an uncommon physical strength for his height, which allows him to be a real handful even for the biggest defenders.

Lautaro Martinez of FC Internazionale is challenged by Nicolo Casale of Bologna during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Bologna at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on January 15, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Cds: Castro’s brilliance proves he is Lautaro Martinez’s ‘natural heir’

According to Corriere dello Sport, his all-around performance against Inter further demonstrated that he has the qualities to follow in El Toro’s footsteps and become his ‘natural heir,’ whether at the Nerazzurri or with the Argentina national team.

After making the most of his first six months in Serie A last season to settle in and adapt to Italian football, Castro is now delivering with surprising consistency for his age, as he has five goals and four assists from 19 league appearances this campaign.

His fifth seasonal goal in Serie A showcased his impressive goal-scoring instinct, as he managed to touch a ball coming into his path swiftly despite being tightly marked by an experienced defender like Stefan De Vrij.

Santiago Castro of Bologna celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Bologna at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on January 15, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

The striker’s display at the San Siro also highlighted his ability to combine offensive efficiency with a significant workload for his team, as he’s constantly involved in challenges with opposing defenders in an attempt to link up his side’s play.

After paying around €15m to sign Castro from Velez Sarsfield last year, Bologna are already rubbing their hands in excitement as they are likely to receive much higher offers next summer from clubs intent on securing one of Serie A’s most talented youngsters.