Inter coach Simone Inzaghi has informed the Nerazzurri squad of his choice to start Edin Dzeko alongside Lautaro Martinez in attack in this evening’s Champions League quarterfinal first leg match against Benfica.
This according to Italian news outlet Gazzetta.it, who report that the coach will start with the same attacking duo as in both legs against Porto, although Lukaku could be used off of the bench as he was in both legs of the round of sixteen tie.
There is little doubt that Martinez will start in tomorrow’s match, as even though the 25-year-old has looked out of form recently and is suffering from a goal drought as his legs appear to be feeling the effects of the team’s congested fixture list.
The Argentine is still considered to be a vital player in attack, and retains the trust of Inzaghi for big matches such as this evening’s match at the Estadio da Luz.
As far as the identity of the player to start alongside Martinez, however, the coach has had a choice on his hands.
According to the Gazzetta, however, the 47-year-old has made his mind up, and he has already spoken to the squad to inform them that his choice will be to go with Dzeko alongside Martinez from the start.
The Bosnian had started both legs of the round of sixteen tie against Porto along with Martinez.
However, Lukaku had come off of the bench in both legs, and it was his late goal in the first leg at the San Siro which proved to be vital in the Nerazzurri progressing by the narrowedt of margins.
Accordingly, it has been made clear to the 29-year-old that he is all but certain to still have a role to play in the tie against Benfica, even if this evening it would only be from the bench.