Inter Milan arrived in the 2022-23 UEFA Champions League final as underdogs, aiming to produce an upset against Pep Guardiolaās star-studded Manchester City in Istambul.
The Nerazzurri took down Porto, Benfica, and crosstown rivals AC Milan to make this stage of the tournament, where they hope to get the job done. It wonāt be easy, but thereās a reason theyāre here.
Simone Inzaghi made a few changes to the lineup, including Marcelo Brozovic instead of Henrikh Mkhitaryan. However, what many wonder is why Romelu Lukaku started on the bench.
Why Romelu Lukaku started on the bench for Inter
The Belgian striker doesnāt have any injury, so his absence in the starting eleven was a tactical decision. Lukaku didnāt start for Inter because Inzaghi opted to pair Lautaro Martinez with Edin Dzeko instead of the former Chelsea striker.
Lukaku has struggled to win a place in the lineup this season, with the Bosnian big man often joining the Argentine star up front.
Martin O'Donnell is a bilingual sports writer fluent in English and Spanish, currently serving as the Editor of Bolavip. He began his journey with the website in February 2021, making a name for himself through comprehensive coverage of soccer, NFL, and NBA, with a specialty in real-time reporting of major events such as the World Cup, UEFA Champions League finals, and the Super Bowl. In June 2024, Martin took on the role of Subeditor, where he excelled in overseeing the publication of stories, assisting staff writers, and ensuring content quality. His prior experience includes managing social media for CONMEBOL Libertadores and Sudamericana in English and Spanish, as well as reporting on Brazilian football for Sambafoot. Known for his meticulous attention to detail and ability to capture breaking news, Martin has consistently been a valuable asset to the Bolavip team, especially during crucial sports seasons involving trades, playoffs, and finals. Now, as the Editor, Martin brings his extensive experience and keen editorial sense to lead Bolavipās team, driving the website's growth and ensuring it remains a top source for sports news and analysis.
