the Belgian Romelu Lukakuwith a brace in the second half, and the Argentine Lautaro Martinezwith a purpose, redirected this Sunday to Inter return to winning ways by defeating the Empoli (0-3) in the Italian Serie A where the Nerazzurri team, despite their success in Europe, has not won since March 5.
The euphoria that meant qualifying for the ‘Champions’ semifinals ended a few days ago. And it is Inter, who came sixth in the clash against Empoli, outside the top-4, has no margin for error today if they do not want to be left even in the European positions.
But Lukaku managed to scare away any hint of surprise with a radically different second half from the first, in a game where Inzaghi, despite the complicated situation, opted to pick an eleven full of substitutes. Onana, Bastoni, Dimarco, Darmian, Dumfries, Barella and Lautaro are substitutes.
It was the perfect moment to defend himself and demand more minutes in the final phase of the season for a Lukaku who accepted the challenge and emerged victorious. He couldn’t impose his physique or his eye for goals in a rhythmless first half, comfortable for Empoli in defence, where Inter were barely able to generate danger beyond the individual actions of Correa or Lukaku himself .
Reaction to the second part
The equality that reigned in the first half seemed to be destabilized as soon as the second began with the interista team being more aggressive, as if it realized the need to urgently add points in order not to spoil the next season.
And of those it didn’t take long for Lukaku to appear to show slight superiority with a goal for the striker’s home in the 48th minute. The Belgian international received on the edge of the area and thought nothing, without even raising his head. , he shot with his right foot and settled on the post strain to open the scoring.
He celebrated with fury a Lukaku demanding a pass in crucial games, where he has so far been a substitute. But his claim did not stop there. Shortly after De Vrij raced over the crossbar with a header, the penalty came for an Inter who, despite dominating, were unable to close out the game.
Lukaku showed another of his virtues: physical power. He conceded because of the left-footed profile of the area and the defender challenged him to tackle as he was coming back. Lukaku takes the gloves, creates a bike for him and with speed and power he carves a gap, leaving the defender behind to shoot, this time with his good leg, and close the match.
A party that Lautaro joined in the 88th minute to end the game. The Argentine produced a good assist from a Lukaku who participated in three goals and pointed with his left foot to beat Perisan.
Inter are resting in Serie A and have recovered from a run of five games without a win. Fifth again, although there is a possibility of sixth again if Milan wins, Inter’s aim this season is to finish the season in the top four. Lautaro and Lukaku took the first step to achieve this.
DATA SHEET
0 – Empoli: Persian; Ebuehi, Ismajili, Luperto (Tonelli, m.72), Parisi; Haas (Grassi, m.65), Marin, Bandinelli (Vignato, m.72); Baldanzi, Cambiaghi (Satriano, m.65); Caputo (Right-handed, m.80).
3 – Inter: Handanovic; D’Ambrosio, De Vrij, Acerbi; Bellanova (Dumfries, m.69), Gagliardini, Brozovic (Barella, m.77), Calhanoglu (Asllani, m.87), Gosens (Dimarco, m.77); Lukaku and Correa (Lautaro, m.69).
the objectives: 0-1, Lukaku (d. 48); 0-2, Lukaku (d. 76); 0-3, Lautaro (d. 88).
Referee: L. Marinelli. He showed a yellow card to Empoli’s Parisi (m.32); and in Barella (m.81) of Inter.
happenings: Match corresponding to the thirty-first day of Serie A, played at the Carlo Castellani Stadium.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
