Inter are a far less dangerous team to play against when Romelu Lukaku is missing, as explained by a report in the Italian media.
The Belgian forward was suspended for Tuesday’s Coppa Italia semi-final first leg at home to Juventus and Inter badly missed their talisman, falling to a 2-1 defeat against their Bianconeri.
Thursday’s print edition of Corriere dello Sport highlighted that Antonio Conte has no adequate replacement for Lukaku when he is missing through injury or suspension, with Alexis Sanchez too goal-shy and Andrea Pinamonti deemed not ready to play for Inter.
“Inter have to completely reset the team when he is missing, so Conte will have to hope Lukaku is always available from now until the end of the season,” the Rome-based publication argued.
Inter have won 16 of their 26 games with Lukaku in the side, drawing seven and losing just three.
During that time, the Nerazzurri have scored a total of 53 goals, which is the equivalent of 2.03 goals per game.
With Lukaku out of the team, Inter have lost once against Real Madrid in the Champions League and drawn against Parma and Atalanta, with their goals-per-game average dropping to 1.66.
But the report argued Inter lost more than just goals, explaining how Juventus found it far easier to move up the pitch during Tuesday’s Derby d’Italia without Lukaku allowing Inter to play long from Samir Handanovic goal-kicks.
Andrea Pirlo’s side were able to commit men forward to press higher at San Siro, without the 27-year-old on hand to hold up the ball and turn defence quickly into attack for Conte’s side.
Lukaku has scored 20 goals so far this season for Inter, providing three assists.
