Former Lazio goalkeeper Luca Marchegiani believes that in Edin Dzeko Inter have acquired a more well-rounded centre-forward than the player they lost over the summer, Romelu Lukaku.
Speaking to Italian broadcaster Sky Sport Italia, the 55-year-old highlighted the different qualities which each player possesses, and suggested that the Bosnian’s technical ability and holdup play can potentially add more to the team as a whole.
With the shock sale of Lukaku to Chelsea over the summer, Inter lost their most significant goal outlet as well as top assister, with the Belgian’s movement, strength, pace, and agility making him a handful for defenders and his finishing and decision-making proving decisive more often than not.
The arrival of Dzeko from Roma has brought in a striker who relies more on his strength and technique for both holdup play and goalscoring, less incisive on the break than the Belgian had been due to considerably less pace.
However, Marchegiani believes that in the former Giallorossi man the Nerazzuri have a player who can help them tick over in possession and play more as a unit in a way that the Belgian did not, as he was more of an individualist.
“Lukaku is better than Dzeko ever was,” Marchegiani stated, “but Dzeko is more of a player, in the sense that he is more complete. Inter will use him very well and he can play well with Correa as well. He knows how to do well both in passing combinations and in the penalty area.”
He went on that “Inter have important rotations, against Bologna they gave Calhanoglu a rest, as well Perisic. Barella is an incredible player for me. Inzaghi’s Lazio covered the pitch in the attacking phase brilliantly.”
The former goalkeeper closed by giving his thoughts on the Nerazzurri’s Champions League campaign, stating that “Inter must go through.”
