Inter coach Simone Inzaghi is happy with the fact that striker Romelu Lukaku will be available for next Wednesday’s Coppa Italia clash with Juventus, but particularly pleased that a clear message was sent regarding racism in football.
Speaking to Italian broadcaster Sky Sport Italia, via FCInterNews, the 47-year-old stressed that the most important aspect of the eventual decision to lift the Belgian’s suspension is that it is an important step in fighting racist incidents in the game.
Yesterday, FIGC President Gabriele Gravina made the decision to issue an executive pardon of Lukaku’s suspension against Juventus in Wednesday’s Coppa Italia semifinal second leg.
Whilst it is a highly unusual step to take away a suspension given to a player for receiving two yellow cards, it was an acknowledgement on Gravina’s part of the racism scandal that was at the heart of the incident.
Inzaghi said of Gravina’s decision to allow Lukaku to play against the Bianconeri that “I’m happy for him, but I’m happy above all for the message that the FIGC are sending in the fight against racism, especially to young people.”
The coach also addressed the fact that he has made significant rotations to the team for this afternoon’s match.
A grand total of nine changes are made to the team that lined up against Benfica in midweek, with wingback Raoul Bellanova given a relatively rare chance to start.
Meanwhile, the likes of Samir Handanovic and Roberto Gagliardini are also in the eleven that takes to the pitch from the first whistle at the Stadio Carlo Castellani.
And of what the team needs to kick on from their impressive run in the Champions League, Inzaghi said that “What matters is that we work as a team, knowing that we’re playing every two and a half days and will need clear heads and everyone’s contribution.”
“From my perspective the team have looked focused and like they know what they have to do,” he added.
