Inter Milan coach Simone Inzaghi is ready to make Edin Dzeko central to his team’s strategy in the Champions League final against Man City this evening.
This according to today’s print edition of Rome-based newspaper Corriere dello Sport, via FCInterNews, who report that the 37-year-old Bosnian international striker will start the match, even if Romelu Lukaku will certainly also have his role to play off the bench.
The question of who starts in attack has been one of the key talking points around Inter ahead of this evening’s final.
There is virtually no question that Lautaro Martinez will start. However, both Dzeko and Lukaku have been in the running to start alongside the Argentine.
According to the Corriere, however, it is Dzeko who Nerazzurri coach Inzaghi will turn to from the first minute of the match.
Inzaghi To Bet On Dzeko Against Man City
The Corriere reports that Inzaghi has made his decision. He will give former Roma and City striker Dzeko the starting shirt against his former team.
If the Bosnian were to find the back of the net, he’d be the oldest goalscorer ever in a Champions League final, at the age of 37.
In spite of his age, Dzeko has been a crucial player for Inter.
Questions have arisen regarding the ex-Giallorossi star’s consistency across the league season. However, in the big matches, he has come up with the goods more often than not.
Inzaghi has put his faith in Dzeko to start every one of Inter’s knockout matches in the Champions League.
The Bosnian played a starring role in the semifinal first leg win over AC Milan, with a MOTM display. This followed up on a similarly excellent display against the Rossoneri in the Supercoppa Italiana in Saudi Arabia.
Dzeko had also been Inter’s match-winner in a 1-0 victory over Napoli in January.
Accordingly, the Corriere anticipates, Dzeko will start this evening.
He is holding Lukaku at bay.
Lukaku Will Also Have Key Role To Play In UCL Final
The Belgian has been the more in-form of the two strikers over the past few weeks.
Lukaku has been in blazing form in Serie A since mid-April. Having struggled for almost the entirety of an injury-hit campaign, he is now back in business.
Accordingly, the Corriere reports, Lukaku will definitely come off the bench this evening in Istanbul.
The 30-year-old’s pace in behind, as well as his telepathic understanding with Lautaro Martinez, will play a role in the second half.
However, the Corriere reports, Lukaku’s exploits in the past few weeks have not convinced Inzaghi to hand him the start.
The coach, the newspaper expects, is ready to go with Dzeko.
