Strikers Marcus Thuram and Romelu Lukaku proved to be “the difference” between Inter Milan and Roma in yesterday’s Serie A clash.
This is the view in today’s print edition of Rome-based newspaper La Repubblica, via FCInterNews.
In a certain sense, yesterday’s match saw Inter’s recent past come face-to-face with its emerging future.
The latter was embodied by Roma striker Lukaku.
The Belgian joined the Giallorossi last summer following a high-profile and controversial transfer saga which saw him burn his bridges with Inter.
And that left Thuram with the pressure of replacing Lukaku in the Nerazzurri team.
Even though Lukaku did not have the best of seasons last time out due to persistent injuries, replacing him was always going to be tough.
Moreover, the 30-year-old has, in a certain sense showed Inter what they’re missing with many of his performances for Roma this season. He has scored plenty of goals this campaign.
Marcus Thuram & Romelu Lukaku “The Difference” Between Inter & Roma
Yesterday, however, there was no real feeling that Inter “missed” Lukaku.
On the contrary, it was the Belgian’s replacement who was Inter’s hero on the night.
That had already been the case in the first meeting between Inter and Roma this season. In that match, Lukaku had failed to really come to grips with the match, whilst Thuram scored the match-winner.
And this time around, it proved to be something similar.
Inter striker Thuram was the player who scored Inter’s equalizer early on in the second half.
Then, it was the Frenchman whose presence forced Roma defender Angelino to score the own-goal that would end up deciding the match.
Thuram’s presence in attack proved to be decisive for Inter.
Not so for Lukaku and Roma. The former Everton and Manchester United striker did have one good chance, but fluffed his lines.
Otherwise, Lukaku never really gave Inter’s defense all that much to think about.
In the view of La Repubblica, that was the difference that defined the match, and decided it in favour of the Nerazzurri.
