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Inter Milan will be looking to pull off a shock in the 2022/23 Champions League final as Simone Inzaghi’s team take on Manchester City in Istanbul.
The Serie A side are through to Europe’s showpiece match for the first time since winning the competition under Jose Mourinho in 2010.
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Inzaghi has opted for a similar starting lineup from their semifinal win over AC Milan, with Romelu Lukaku named on the bench for the Italians. Marcelo Brozovic came in for Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
The Belgium international has endured a mixed return to the San Siro this season and Inzaghi’s call reflects his usage of the 30-year-old in recent months.
Why did Romelu Lukaku not start in Champions League final?
Inzaghi’s preference is to play with two strikers in his Inter team, with Lautaro Martinez’s 21 Serie A goals establishing the Argentinian as a first-choice pick.
However, despite initial positivity over Lukaku making a major impact on his return to Milan on a season-long loan from Chelsea, Edin Dzeko has been consistently picked ahead of him.
Despite the pair being very close in terms of league output, Inzaghi believes Dzeko links better with Martinez, with Lukaku kept as an option from the bench.
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Dzeko and Martinez have started all six of Inter’s Champions League knockout games en route to the final with Lukaku replacing the Bosnian late on in each of those clashes.
The strategy has worked for both players, and Inzaghi, with Lukaku scoring key goals and providing an alternative to play off Martinez in the closing stages of matches.
Lukaku was introduced to the final on 57 minutes though, replacing Dzeko with the Bulgarian failing to offer much up top.
Just 11 minutes after Lukaku came on, Rodri fired City in front with a clinical finish from just inside the box.
Romelu Lukaku’s Inter Milan record
Lukaku’s record in his first spell at Inter was superb, with 47 Serie A goals across two seasons as Antonio Conte’s side won the 2021 title.
Those figures were the most consistent of his career as he broke the 20+ league goal mark for successive campaigns and posted numbers not seen since his final year at Everton.
However, a move back to Chelsea in 2021 failed to ignite, and he requested another crack at Inter in 2022.
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Chelsea were happy to offload him, and Inzaghi was confident of reviving the Conte version of Lukaku, in a deal that appeared to suit all concerned.
A hamstring injury suffered in his third game back in Italy derailed his campaign, as other fitness setbacks, and the World Cup, kept him from securing a regular starting place.
Inzaghi has consistently stated his contentedness over Lukaku’s form, but 10 league goals, and 13 in all competitions, makes the chance of a permanent return difficult despite Lukaku appearing keen on staying.Romelu Lukaku’s transfer fees
Lukaku’s regular transfer moves have earned him the title of the most expensive player in history based on combined transfer fees.
Seven moves have racked up an estimated combined £285m/$357m as he switched Belgium, England and Italy, setting club transfer records at three different clubs.
*Everton total includes Lukaku’s 2013/14 loan spell at the club from Chelsea, with 16 goals in 33 games.
Romelu Lukaku transfer latest
Lukaku has stated his openness to staying in Milan, despite an underwhelming campaign, but Chelsea will demand a huge fee to convert his move into a permanent switch.
His deal at Stamford Bridge runs until 2026 and new boss Maurico Pochettino is yet to indicate whether he will have a role in his plans when he takes charge in July.
If Pochettino gives the green light for an exit, Inter will drive for a deal of around £35m/$43m, with Chelsea set to take a loss on their talented striker.
Soucre: sportingnews.com
