Inter will be missing a lot more than just Romelu Lukaku’s goals when they line up without their star striker against Juventus tonight, according to the former Nerazzurri forward Aldo Serena.
The Belgian forward and Achraf Hakimi are both unavailable for the first leg of Inter’s Coppa Italia semi-final at San Siro after picking up yellow cards in the quarter-final win over AC Milan.
Serena expected both players’ absences to be felt but had a particular word of warning for Antonio Conte regarding Lukaku.
“Lukaku is always a notable absence for Inter, not only for the goals he scores but also for the balance he provides and his role in their build-up play, where he is always involved,” Serena said in an interview with TuttoJuve.com ahead of this evening’s Derby d’Italia.
“Conte has placed a lot of Inter’s attacking burden on his shoulders, it is essential for Lukaku to keep the ball and help his teammates switch play over to the other side.
“His absence is exactly like that of Hakimi, though, who is one of few defenders capable of beating his man and getting to the by-line for a cross.”
Speaking on the match itself, Serena added: “”It will be an exciting match.
“The Bianconeri have improved in the last few games, while Inter have found an important balance.
“Conte is finding more solutions than those he had up until now, for example using Christian Eriksen in front of the defence as an alternative to Marcelo Brozovic.
“Tonight will just be the first half of a tie that really promises to be great for all football fans.”
Inter and Juve’s previous meeting this season took place only two weeks ago in Serie A, and for the first time since 2016 the Nerazzurri won against their arch rivals thanks to goals from Arturo Vidal and Nicolo Barella.
The winner of their semi-final clash will meet Napoli or Atalanta in the final.
