Romelu Lukaku appeared to be the stumbling block in Inter Milan’s success last Saturday, June 10, as he stood in the way of Inter Milan’s possible equalizer.
The Belgian came on as a substitute in the 57th minute of the game replacing Bosnian Edin Dzeko.
Lukaku missed a brilliant chance during the dying embers of the encounter as the Nerazzurri lost to a determined Manchester City side.
Inter Milan started the encounter certainly the more confident of the two sides but one achilles heel with their game was their desire to tame the Citizens rather than playing their own way.
The clash at the Atatürk Olimpiyat Stadi in Istanbul ended by a decisive goal scored by Rodri.
The Italian side began to charge and have a better go at Manchester City in the second half and they introduced Lukaku to help that course.
Romelu Lukaku played 33 minutes of the game but he was more like the bane of their misfortune rather than guide to success.
He had 3 out of 5 accurate passes with three shots in total and his shot accuracy was 2/3
However, he had several opportunities which he threw away and that looked a massive reason for Inter Milan’s downfall on the night.
In the 70th minute, the Black and Blues could have equalized after Dimarco’s effort struck the bar.
But his goalbound attempt on the rebound was cleared off the line by Lukaku.
Another massive chance fell to Internazionale in the 88th minute but the Belgian couldn’t place his header well.
Ederson Moraes became hero after Gosen nodded a perfect cutback into the centre of the 6-yard-box.
However, Lukaku once again couldn’t bury the chance presented to him as he headed the ball direct to the City shot-stopper.
Would Romelu Lukaku remain with Inter Milan?
The Belgian is on loan from Chelsea and Inter had been expected to further his stay at the San Siro after he scored 77 goals for the club across two stints.
However, it looks like they have changed from that line of thought after Saturday’s performance.
Based on the defeat for Inter Milan, it meant Manchester City achieved the treble matching the feat of eternal rivals Manchester United in the 1998/99 season.
That win for Manchester City also handed the city of Manchester some prestige as it became the second city in history after Milan, to boast of two Champions League winning clubs.
Romelu Lukaku’s next destination appears like a return to Chelsea as new manager of the West London side Mauricio Pochettino might be offering him a chance to strut his stuff.
The aftermath of Saturday’s final defeat which meant Inter Milan wouldn’t be winning their 4th Champions League title has blighted the hopes of the Belgian remaining in Milan.
Fans reaction to Romelu Lukaku’s dreadful night in attack for Inter Milan
Romelu Lukaku vs Manchester City 🔥
— 𝙈𝙓 𝟲 🕊️ (@MagicalXavi) June 10, 2023
The new R9? 🥶
pic.twitter.com/jh1B6OraU4
Fans have also reacted in furious manner to the loss with one saying the former Everton star let down his side.
One fan posted: “Romelu Lukaku let’s down his beloved #Inter on the grandest stage of them all.
“Let his country’s generational team down on the grandest stages, waste of close to €200m for United & #CFC.
“Ladies & gentlemen, I present to you the Do*key of the Decade: Sweaty Dum Rom Lukaka! 🏆👏
Some were also sympathetic to the Belgian’s plight as another fan posted:
“World class players can have bad nights, sometimes on the biggest stage. It comes with the job.
“Make no mistake, Romelu Lukaku is still one of the best strikers of his generation. Come home Rom.❤”
Additionally, the president of Inter Milan reaffirms that a decision has not yet been made on the on-loan Chelsea star’s future at the club.
Steven Zhang said: “Romelu loves Inter, that’s very clear.
“He’s great guy but he’s under contract at Chelsea.
“We have to wait and speak to Chelsea to make Lukaku’s future clear”.
