Romelu Lukaku’s goal on Saturday helped Inter Milan defeat Udinese at the San Siro for the first time in 635 days.
The Belgian forward hasn’t been at his best since joining the Nerazzurri on loan from Chelsea in the summer of last year, but he’s been much sharper lately.
Although he scored from the penalty spot in the 3-1 victory, it may have given the powerhouse the confidence boost it needs to get back on track as Inter looks to close the gap on unstoppable leaders Napoli.
We highlight West London’s misunderstood man ahead of tonight’s Champions League matchup with Porto.
Comeback trail
Lukaku has dealt with a number of issues since his arrival back in Milan, but injuries have been his biggest hindrance in 2022-23.
In the current campaign, the 29-year-old has missed 92 days and 18 matches in all competitions thanks to a combination of hamstring, arm and knee issues.
And although he has struggled with niggles in the past, the 104-cap international has not been absent for as long as this before in his career — and it has had a profound impact on his form.
Saturday was only his second Serie A goal of the season, with his first coming on the opening weekend back in August.
Inter boss Simone Inzaghi said a few weeks ago that he is expecting a fully fit Lukaku back for their Champions League tie with Porto and it looks as though he may get his wish.
The ex-Premier League star has featured in seven of Inter’s last eight league matches and is starting to show signs of a return to his best.
Fighting for his place
Inter’s squad is full to the brim of incredible talent and Lukaku’s return does not guarantee him a spot in the starting XI.
Inzaghi has preferred to set up in a 3-5-2 for most of the season and, although the seasoned finisher is a big miss when unavailable, there were options waiting in the wings to replace him.
Both Edin Dzeko and Lautaro Martinez have done a stellar job in Lukaku’s absence, netting 20 times between them in Serie A, while the likes of Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Hakan Calhanoglu have also been popping up with goals.
During his best season, Chelsea’s £97million man grabbed 24 goals and 10 assists in the Italian first division, yet scored only eight times in the Premier League during the 2021-22 campaign.
He would do well to displace either Dzeko or Martinez permanently in the coming weeks, though his best form would give him a fighting chance.
Lukaku’s ability to score in a variety of ways gives him the edge over his 36-year-old team-mate Dzeko, who is giving Olivier Giroud a run for his money as the best Serie A player over 35 this year.
Desperate to stay
Lukaku left Stamford Bridge with a sour taste in his mouth, publicly stating his desire to return to Supercoppa Italiana winners Inter last summer.
The San Siro is where he has enjoyed the best spell of his career and despite being a valued member of the Premier League 100 club, his style of play is more suited to Italian football.
However, his situation remains one of the most complicated in Europe’s top five leagues.
As Chelsea paid such a handsome fee to bring Lukaku back to his former club only 18 months ago, they will unquestionably want to recoup some of that fortune — especially after their own excessive spending in January.
With a contract at Stamford Bridge that runs until 2026, Lukaku needs to resolve his future quickly ahead to avoid a potential recall.