Inter Milan striker Romelu Lukaku could use a start against Torino in the final Serie A match of the season as a way to stake his place in the Champions League final against Man City next month.
This according to today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Corriere della Sera, via FCInter1908, who suggest that the Belgian could use next weekend’s match as a springboard to launch himself into the Nerazzurri’s starting eleven in Istanbul next month.
Inter have just one Serie A match left this season, away to Torino.
Whilst the clash with the Granata will not quite be a “dead rubber,” much of the pressure will be off. Inter already secured Champions League qualification for next season by beating Atalanta on Saturday.
Moreover, the team will hardly want to take any fitness or injury risks so soon before the Champions League final.
Accordingly, the Corriere della Sera report, Inter will play with a heavily-rotated starting eleven.
Lukaku Could Stake Man City Claim Vs Torino
One player who is likely to start on Saturday against Torino is Lukaku.
Whilst some of Inter’s squad can be divided into clear first-choice starters and rotation options, the 30-year-old straddles that distinction somewhat.
This is due to how Simone Inzaghi has rotated his team in attack.
In Serie A matches, Lukaku has tended to be the man to start ahead of Edin Dzeko. Then, in knockout matches, Dzeko is the one to take the reins.
However, Lukaku wants to upend that order.
The Belgian has been in blazing form in the league for several weeks now. Nevertheless, he has yet to displace Dzeko, who has started every knockout match in the Coppa Italia and Champions League.
Accordingly, the Bosnian may well still be favourite to start against City in the final on June 10.
However, Lukaku believes he can still force Inzaghi’s hand on the matter. And a good performance against Torino next weekend could be just the chance to clinch a spot in Istanbul.
