Following Romelu Lukaku’s late-game mayhem at Juventus on Tuesday, Simone Inzaghi defended the “misunderstood” striker’s celebrations.
Following a 1-1 draw in the first leg of the Coppa Italia semifinal, loanee forward Lukaku’s 95th-minute penalty at the Allianz Stadium brought Inter back into the match.
Immediately after the Belgian international’s celebration in front of Juve’s Curva Nord, Lukaku got into a fight with Juan Cuadrado and was sent off for receiving a second yellow card.
Cuadrado, who scored the 83rd-minute opener, was then dismissed for a clash with Inter captain Samir Handanovic after the full-time whistle as tempers continued to boil over in Turin.
Inzaghi insisted Lukaku’s reaction was understandable, though, as the Inter coach bemoaned losing his key forward and goalkeeper Handanovic to suspension.
Asked whether Lukaku’s celebration was towards the crowd, Inzaghi told Mediaset: “Yes. This was clear, but it goes beyond this.
“I see a player who scores, celebrates, and everything happens there. Lukaku’s celebration was misunderstood.
“It certainly wasn’t a nice sight to see in a well-conducted and fair match until the 94th minute.
“[But] now I have to be clear-headed and think that for the return semi-final. Lukaku’s celebration will deprive me of him and Handanovic.”