Italian journalist Matteo Marani believes that Inter’s frustrating 1-0 loss to Real Madrid at the San Siro on Wednesday demonstrates that the club lack a clinical goalscorer.

Speaking to Italian broadcaster Sky Sport Italia, the journalist gave the view that since the departure of last season’s top scorer Romelu Lukaku, the Nerazzurri do not have a player who can prolifically score goals for them.

Inter created a number of presentable goalscoring opportunities against the Merengues in Wednesday’s Champions League group stage opener, but in the end a last-minute winner by Carlo Ancelotti’s men meant that their campaign in Europe’s top competition got off to exactly the start that they didn’t want.

Marani highlights the fact that no one on the pitch for the Nerazzurri had the clinical edge needed to find the decisive goal that would cap off a strong attacking performance and put Real away, something which Lukaku provided before he was sold to Chelsea over the summer.

“Playing against Real consumes you,” he said. “San Siro was full and you had the experience of last year to get past. There were several components to consider. Inter performed very well –  Brozovic was excellent, Skriniar played a massive game.”

He went on, “Inter pay for Lukaku’s absence – last year he scored thirty goals and is now making the difference at Chelsea. He is a one-of-a-kind talent. Inter creates a lot, but the man who finishes is missing.”