Edin Dzeko is the favourite to start for Inter Milan in the Champions League final against Man City next month.
This according to Italian news outlet Gazzetta.it, who report that the 37-year-old is still the favourite to start the match against his old team the Cityzens over fellow striker Romelu Lukaku, even if the Belgian’s chances of doing so are growing.
In recent matches, Inter coach Simone Inzaghi has rotated the team significantly from match to match.
This has meant that over the weekend, it has been Lukaku and Joaquin Correa who have led the line. Then, during the week, Dzeko and Lautaro Martinez have played from the start.
As a consequence, whilst Lukaku has tended to play in the league, Dzeko has been the starter in cup competitions.
The Bosnian former Roma and Manchester City man continued this by starting in the Coppa Italia final against Fiorentina.
However, for the Champions League final in Istanbul, Lukaku will certainly want to start. The 30-year-old could be thinking that he has a chance of overtaking Dzeko to be in the starting lineup.
Dzeko Still Ahead Of Lukaku To Start For Inter Vs Man City
According to the Gazzetta, it is true that Lukaku’s chances are getting higher of starting against City.
The Belgian’s form has been steadily improving over the past few weeks.
Now, Lukaku has been regularly amongst the goals in Serie A over his past few starts.
However, to date this has not been enough to earn the Belgian a start in any of Inter’s big knockout matches. It has still been Dzeko who’s started both legs of the Champions League semifinal tie against AC Milan, and then against Fiorentina yesterday.
Lukaku is set to start against Torino this weekend. It is quite possible that over the last two Serie A matches and the remaining training sessions, the Belgian can earn his place in the starting lineup to face City in Istanbul.
However, according to the Gazzetta, Dzeko remains favourite.
