Inter Milan Are Glad To Have Romelu Lukaku Back, And They’ll Need Him

There was a party atmosphere inside San Siro, but there was something that Inter fans were missing, something they hadn’t experienced for a while and yearned for.

Inter were 3-0 up against Viktoria Plzen in the Champions League and were through to the round of 16 in the competition for the second consecutive year, and in the process knocking Barcelona out of what was a very difficult group.

Bayern Munich had stormed ahead, and most felt it was between Inter and Barca to see who would make it along with the Germans. In the end, Inter got the better of the Catalans in their back-to-back games, winning in Milan before playing out a classic 3-3 draw in Camp Nou which Inter really ought to have won.

That draw meant all they needed was a win against the Czech champions to progress.

Goals from Henrikh Mkhitaryan and a brace from Edin Dzeko had put the game to bed by the 66^th minute, hence the carnival-esque atmosphere in the sold-out Giuseppe Meazza.

A round of applause could be heard early in the second half when Romelu Lukaku ran down the sideline to warm up. The Belgian striker hadn’t played for Inter since the end of August, when he suffered a hamstring injury that has kept him out for the better part of two months.

Lukaku had been Inter’s big signing last summer, bringing the 29-year-old striker back after his lone season in London. While it’s only a loan deal, the fact that he returned, in addition to Inter keeping all of their top stars, meant the pressure was now on Simone Inzaghi to deliver.

Yet Lukaku’s early injury soured the feel-good factor around Inter for a period, and their early season form has been patchy. The stringent defence that didn’t give away many goals over the past two seasons has crumbled in this one.

Lautaro Martinez, Lukaku’s partner-in-crime during the 2020/21 Scudetto win, went through another one of his barren spells in front of goal, with the Argentine not finding the back of the net for eight games in September and October.

It’s been Dzeko that’s picked up the goal scoring burden for Inter in the absence of Lukaku and Martinez, with the Bosnian scoring six times in the first two months. Dzeko, who was brought in as a replacement for Lukaku two summers ago but then was viewed as his understudy in light of his comeback, has been one of Inter’s best performers.

So as the minutes ticked down inside San Siro, the Inter fans wanted to see Lukaku. Yet they were made to wait by Inzaghi, who finally brought him on with only 10 minutes remaining. Lukaku’s relationship with the ultras isn’t entirely resolved, but he received a warm reception as he entered the pitch.

Lukaku was desperate for a goal, and it didn’t take him long to find the net, even with the minimal amount of time on the clock. With Plzen camped on the edge of their own area, Nicolo Barella took possession of the ball and fed it into the feet of Lukaku, who was on the periphery of the box and with his back to goal.

Lukaku turned infield and passed to Joaquin Correa, who saw where Lukaku was going and waited until the perfect moment to slip him through. Lukaku had broke through the lines of the Plzen defence and fired off a first-time shot that flew into the bottom corner. Lukaku had his goal, and the night’s work was complete.

Lukaku, and Inter fans, had got what they came for: three points, qualification and the return of their star striker.

Lukaku’s return will be a massive bonus for Inter, and despite the form of Dzeko, Lukaku offers more of a threat in behind, despite the fact that Dzeko is technically superior.

Moreover, Lukaku’s return couldn’t be better timed, with the Derby d’Italia on the horizon. Inter started the season as one of the favourites to win the Scudetto, but Napoli’s flying start, in addition to Inter’s sluggish one, means Inzaghi’s side have a lot of chasing to do.

Before the break for the World Cup, they also have a tough game away in Bergamo against Atalanta. Should they win all three remaining games in Serie A, they then just might still be in the title race, with Napoli currently eight points clear and looking unstoppable.

But for now, Lukaku is back, and Inter have Champions League football in 2023.