Against Empoli the Argentine goes out at the end of the first half without even a shot. Romelu plays 18 minutes, but is far from the best physical condition
Another flop. In the night in which he could make a change in his experience in the nerazzurri. Joaquin Correa still does not affect. Indeed, to disappoint. He was paid 33 million to Lazio (a loan that took effect last February) and his contribution to the “cause” was impalpable. Inzaghi trusted him against Empoli and lined him up alongside Lautaro to make Dzeko catch his breath. The Argentine was charged up in the pre-match (“I had a bad period after the World Cup, but now I’m getting back in shape and I think I’m doing well” he told Sky), but on the pitch he was… transparent as too many times he is success since, in August 2021, he was picked up by Lazio. And even Lukaku, who returned to the field after the two (and a half) injuries he suffered from last summer onwards, certainly didn’t impress: he seemed far from the best condition and was never able to free himself for shooting or the bank. The Big Rom that the Inter fans had in mind, the one who overwhelmed the opposing defenses with his strength and dash before moving to Chelsea, was another player. That’s why his future in Milan is in doubt.
Correa had landed at Pinetina with a non-striker curriculum: 30 goals in 117 appearances in the Lazio experience. Inter, who had bought Dzeko and were looking for another striker to fill the gap left by Lukaku, had in fact taken Marcus Thuram who, however, a few hours after signing contracts with Gladbach, had injured his knee . At that point, with Inzaghi pushing to return to coaching Tucu, Zhang accepted Lotito’s terms. Joaquin’s numbers also remained unforgiving in Milan: 9 goals in 59 games. The two braces against Verona and Udinese in the first two months had deceived, then… a lack of performance combined with physical problems. Achilles tendon discomfort didn’t allow him to be called up for the World Cup, but the curse didn’t vanish even in 2023. And yesterday’s 45th-minute substitution was another blow to his morale. Now to think that last summer the failure to sell Tucu prevented the arrival of Dybala hurts even more.
And then there’s Lukaku who is clearly far from the best condition thanks to the double muscle problem in his left thigh and the recent inflammation in his knee. He looks like the stunt double of the striker who had given Conte the Scudetto because the long stops undermined his physique. Last night Inzaghi needed the best Romelu and instead spent him for the last 13′ plus added time. A sign of how much he is still behind. Almost as much as Inter in the Scudetto race which, at the end of January, they have already abandoned.
January 24 – 10:56
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