Inter coach Simone Inzaghi could decide to start Romelu Lukaku in the Coppa Italia tomorrow against Juventus in order to start getting the Belgian back into a real match rhythm.

This according to today’s print edition of Turin-based newspaper Tuttosport, via FCInterNews, who report that the coach could decide to strike while the iron is hot after Lukaku’s outstanding performance against Empoli over the weekend.

Based on how Inzaghi has typically rotated the team, all signs would seem to point towards Dzeko starting against Juventus in tomorrow’s Coppa Italia semifinal second leg.

The former Roma and Manchester City man was an unused substitute at the Stadio Carlo Castellani on Sunday, suggesting that his fitness was being preserved to start against the Bianconeri tomorrow.

However, it could well be the case that Lukaku‘s performance against Empoli has ripped up that idea, and made Inzaghi feel that he has little choice but to start the 29-year-old.

According to Tuttosport, the coach is keenly aware of the importance of match rhythm to Lukaku’s game.

Under Antonio Conte during his first two seasons wearing an Inter shirt the Belgian started virtually every match in all competitions, and he found the right balance to be at his physical best.

Then, after an erratic season at Chelsea which saw Lukaku deal with some injuries and not always selected in the starting eleven by Thomas Tuchel, the 29-year-old returned to Inter without that kind of match rhythm.

The result was a lengthy muscle problem which ruled Lukaku out for significant time, and meant that even when he has been able to play he has looked some way from his best.

For Inzaghi, the thinking could well be that after the Belgian showed just what he’s capable of in the second half against Empoli, the best thing to do would be to let him keep the momentum up against Juventus, rather than the more formulaic choice of giving Dzeko the start after a rest.