On the one hand, Romelu Lukaku, an XXL Belgian “phenomenon” in the footsteps of Brazilian Ronaldo on Italian lawns. On the other, Lautaro Martinez, a fiery Argentinian “toro” with newfound form. The "LuLa", as Italy calls this duo which relegated the memory of Mauro Icardi to the oblivion of San Siro, is never as fused as during the continental games. One of the two, at least, has scored in the last ten European matches of the Nerazzurri, in C1 then in C3.
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“They know how to do everything and do it well,” said Italian international striker Aldo Serena in La Gazzetta dello Sport . "Lukaku is at the peak of his strength, Lautaro has room for improvement but wants to learn," added the man who won the first of Inter's three C3s in 1991. In the semifinals on Monday, the two attackers - who seem to get along just as well off the pitch as on the lawn - even went with a double each against an overtaken Shakhtar Donetsk (5-0).
Lukaku follows Ronaldo's footsteps at Inter
For Lautaro, a header and a curled strike from the right. For "Big Rom", two face to face won against the goalkeeper in all lucidity at the end of a match where he will have given a lot as always, despite already 50 matches on the clock this season. At 27, Romelu Lukaku is thriving in Lombardy, where the ex-Everton and Manchester United striker rushed to play under Antonio Conte.
The Milan coach, who convinced his club to spend nearly € 80 million last year to attract him to Serie A, places absolute trust in his "good giant", appreciated for his humility and his taste for effort. With 33 goals in all competitions, he is even in the footsteps of a Nerazzurra legend, the Brazilian Ronaldo, who had scored 34 in his first Italian season (1997-98). A season ended in style with a victory in ... Europa League (UEFA Cup at the time).
To mark ? "I am here for that, it is something which is in me"
Romelu LukakuScore, "I'm here for that, it's something that is in me", assures the Belgian international (84 caps, 52 goals), who will play his first European final. This will also be the case for his Argentinian accomplice, whose second season at Inter was that of the revelation, thanks to the departure of Icardi, even if his performances were less regular.
The start of the season was flamboyant for the "Toro", a nickname that this fiery and stocky striker inherited in Argentina, with 5 goals in the Champions League. The end of the championship less: he sometimes seemed tired in the post-confinement phase and troubled by the interest of FC Barcelona, which is preparing for the post-Suarez.
Lautaro successor of Suarez at Barça?
"There was a time when I was not at my level but it helps you grow," admitted the Argentine after the semi-final on Monday which allowed him to cross the 20-goal mark this season ( 21 goals). The Argentine international (17 caps, 9 goals), whose place was once threatened by Alexis Sanchez, is getting back in shape at the best time. To the delight of Conte, delighted to see the progress of the duo this season: "It was inevitable that, working together, their mutual understanding would grow (...). These are players who have the typical selfishness of striker, but also the altruism allowing them to play for the team, "the Italian coach told the UEFA website.
Lifting the cup on Friday, on the eve of his 23 years, would offer Lautaro a first line on his record, before another good news already announced: a first child expected in a few months. As to whether his offspring will be born in Milan or Barcelona, it will depend on whether or not negotiations with Barça by his compatriot Lionel Messi are resumed, suspended at the wishes of new Catalan coach Ronald Koeman.
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