According to former player Paul Ince, Inter should start striker Romelu Lukaku to take advantage of the space behind Man City's defense in the Champions League final.
In both semi-final matches against Milan, coach Simone Inzaghi used the striker duo of Lautaro Martinez and Edin Dzeko. Before each match, the Italian coach started the duo of Romelu Lukaku and Joaquin Correa in Serie A matches. This arrangement was effective as Inter beat Milan 3-0 on aggregate to reach the Champions League final for the first time since the 2009-2010 treble season under Jose Mourinho.
However, Ince believes that such an option may not work against Man City, and advises Inzaghi to start Lukaku. "Man City always want to control the ball, to make the opponent feel suffocated, but behind the centre-backs there is space. That's where Inter can attack with speed," he told Gazzetta dello Sport . "So, in my opinion, Lukaku should start. Dzeko is a great player, very good on the ball, but he doesn't have that kind of speed on the pitch, and will be easier for Man City to stop than Lukaku."
Lukaku (blue and black striped shirt) fights for the ball surrounded by three Milan players during the first leg of the Champions League semi-final on May 10. Photo: Reuters
Ince, a midfielder, started his career with West Ham and later played for Manchester United, Liverpool, Middlesbrough, Wolves, Swindon Town and Macclesfield Town in England. Ince had only one spell abroad, playing for Inter from 1995-1997, scoring 13 goals in 73 appearances. He was the first black player to captain England, scoring twice in 53 appearances.
The former England international was surprised to see his old club reach the Champions League final, as Inter were drawn in the "group of death" with Bayern and Barca. But he insisted Inter deserved to be in the title race after convincingly beating Milan in the semi-finals. "I know what the Milan derby means. It was the most emotional and exciting game I've ever been involved in, not to mention the times the two teams faced each other in the Champions League semi-finals," Ince added. "Inter went through that battle at San Siro and deserved to go to Istanbul."
Ince rates Inter's midfield of Nicolo Barella, Hakan Calhanoglu, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Marcelo Brozovic highly, and believes the Italians have a great chance of winning the Champions League. "In football, what you think can quickly change. An individual mistake, the ball bouncing one way or another, someone's bad day, a VAR decision," said the 55-year-old former midfielder. "In fact, Inter play their best games against strong opponents. The whole team has to be at their best for 100 minutes in the Champions League final, and Inter fans and players are very confident."
Finally, when asked what he would say to the Inter players if he were in the dressing room, Ince replied: "We've come a long way, we've left blood and tears, fought tirelessly, now it's time to bring the title back to Milan. That gives you enough motivation and energy, doesn't it?".
Hong Duy
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