Inter Coach Simone Inzaghi: “Romelu Lukaku Will Return From Injury After International Break, Francesco Acerbi Did Well”

Inter head coach Simone Inzaghi expects that striker Romelu Lukaku will be back in action after the international break as he recovers from the thigh strain that has kept him out the last few matches.

Speaking in a press conference after the Nerazzurri’s Champions League win over Viktoria Plzen, as reported by FCInterNews, the coach updated on the Belgian’s fitness, whilst he also praised defender Francesco Acerbi for his debut at the heart of the Inter defense.

Lukaku made his last appearance for the Nerazzurri in their loss to Lazio in Serie A last month, and has been out ever since as he recovers from a thigh strain.

The team has not rushed the 29-year-old back, although there has been some speculation that he could already be ready in time to play against Udinese in Inter’s final Serie A match before the international break at the end of the month.

Right now, Edin Dzeko has been filling in for the Belgian, and Inzaghi said that “Edin was good, as all his teammates were, I need everyone to be at their best in defense, midfield, and in attack.”

“After the break Lukaku will return, and then from match to match I’ll make my decisions as to who the starting pair will be in attack,” he added.

Of the win over Plzen, Inzaghi said that “We’re happy, because we knew that the opponent were not to be underestimated. We know the record of Italian teams here in Plzen. The guys did well, they remained focused and I congratulated them in the locker room.”

Of the debut of Acerbi in defense, Inzaghi said that “He was very good, it was his debut, it wasn’t easy, he’s a player I know and who’ll be able to give us a lot.”

“The important thing is that all the guys know that there is competition between them for places, and I see that right now,” the coach explained. “I’ve made it clear in the first eight matches that I need everyone, that there will be rotations, and that everyone will be involved.”

“Playing so often I need to use all the players,” he continued. “In Udine it will be our fourth match in ten days, soon I’ll have to figure out what the best team is for that match.”

And speaking about the red card for Plzen midfielder Pavel Bucha, Inzaghi said that “Clearly the sending off gave us an advantage, but I think that even up until that moment Inter were in control of the game, the only issue is that we were only 1-0 up and hadn’t score the second goal.”