Genoa 0-3 Inter: Lukaku sparkles in first win in three for Nerazzurri
Romelu Lukaku scored twice as Inter returned to winning ways with a 3-0 Serie A success at Genoa.
Consecutive draws had seen the Nerazzurri pass up the opportunity to properly capitalise on Juventus’ shaky form, with the leaders still able to seal the Scudetto against Sampdoria on Sunday.
But even with their title hopes virtually extinguished, Antonio Conte’s side were back on their game at the Luigi Ferraris to move up to second.
Lukaku nodded in his 22nd league goal of the season 34 minutes in and, after Alexis Sanchez added a late second, got his 23rd with a marvellous individual effort, leaving Genoa still just four points clear of the bottom three, having played a game more than 18th-placed Lecce.
ALSO READ: Lukaku double pulls Inter Milan second in Serie A
Pressure had steadily built on the Genoa goal after a slow Inter start, with Lukaku – at the heart of all of their best work – helping to create chances for Marcelo Brozovic and Christian Eriksen that were both squandered.
The Belgium striker made sure the visitors were in front heading into half-time, though, as he ghosted into the area to meet Cristiano Biraghi’s searching cross with a firm header in off the post.
A curling Filip Jagiello free-kick provided a brief scare, yet a low-key second period saw few clear openings at either end.
Although Genoa belatedly threw men forward in search of an equaliser, they were swiftly caught out in defence at the other end and substitute Sanchez netted via the bar after fine work from Victor Moses on the right.
There was still time for Lukaku to produce the moment of the match, racing forward deep into stoppage time and cutting inside past desperate challenges to hammer in the third.
ALSO READ:
What does it mean? Inter up to second but focus on Europe
Inter’s form has not been convincing since the season’s restart, yet they climbed back up to second with just two league games remaining with a victory.
Though their slim title aspirations remain alive, their focus now is surely on the Europa League, with a last-16 tie against Getafe less than two weeks away. Conte can be encouraged by the control his side largely displayed.
Fotmob
The post Genoa 0-3 Inter: Lukaku sparkles in first win in three for Nerazzurri appeared first on Vanguard News.
No comments: