To understand the moment that Romelu Lukaku is going through, just take a look at the numbers: the Belgian forward has missed more games in the past two years than in the rest of his career. 17 races missed between 2021-22 and these first months of the new season (10 plus 7), 16 in previous years. The figure is to be updated immediately, however, because the former Chelsea he will not even be available for the match against Salernitana scheduled for Sunday at 12.30. The last time Lukaku saw the pitch was on August 26, at the Olimpico against Lazio where Inzaghi’s team lost 1-3. Just over an hour for Romelu, then: nothing. On the part of the company, maximum prudence on his conditions filters, at the beginning of next week he will carry out new tests to understand if he will be in a position to at least go to the bench in the away match in Florence on Saturday 22. If he does not succeed, he could return for the Champions League match. against Viktoria Plzen on 26 October. Exactly two months since the last game, 60 days without Romelu.
WITH COUNT – It seems a lifetime ago that the Belgian scored and smiled with the Inter shirt under the management of Antonio Conte. 64 goals in two years and not even the shadow of an injury. Some muscle problems, sure, but pampered by the coach and under the watchful eye of Antonio Pintus – awarded as best athletic trainer in the 2020/21 season – he has always been at the top. In the last two years, on the other hand, he has filled up in the infirmary: many missed matches and that certainty about his physical form that at the dawn of 30 he risks not having anymore.
THE FUTURE – Lukaku’s card is still from Chelsea, who in the summer loaned him to Inter for 8 million plus bonuses and in the meantime gave the nod to Tuchel, with whom the player did not have a great relationship. If he depended on Romelu, he would remain in the Nerazzurri for life, or almost. Inter are waiting to evaluate him on the pitch and in the meantime are studying the future; relations between the two clubs are good, at the end of the seasons there will be new contacts to find a solution. Inzaghi, however, hopes to embrace him as soon as possible: 11 games without Lukaku, Inter waiting for his striker.
