Inter’s attack is weakened significantly when it lacks the reference point of striker Romelu Lukaku in attack, in the view of Italian media.
This is the argument in today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, who suggest that some of the Nerazzurri’s attacking struggles early on in the campaign have been down to a lack of cutting edge in the final third when the Belgian is absent.
Lukaku started Inter’s first three matches of the season, grabbing a goal and an assist whilst showing that even if he was not yet at his best physically he can already be the man who they build attacks around.
However, a thigh problem suffered following a loss to Lazio has deprived the Nerazzurri of the 29-year-old over their past four matches, and they’ve had to rely upon the likes of Lautaro Martinez, Edin Dzeko, and Joaquin Correa.
The Gazzetta argue that this has been as big of an issue as it would have been expected, as the Belgian’s natural finishing and threat in behind opposition defenses being missing has really deprived the Nerazzurri of their cutting edge.
