Milan, Feb. 23 (BNA): Having ended his goalscoring drought last weekend, Lukaku scored a late goal to lead Inter Milan to a 1-0 victory over 10-man Porto in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.
It was Lukaku’s first goals since October and took his tally to just four since returning from Chelsea in the off-season as the Belgium striker has struggled with injury and poor form, the Associated Press reports.
“We are really happy with the win, it was very important to get a result,” said Lukaku, who came on as a substitute. “We wanted to score a second goal too, but we still managed to win the game and I’m happy.
“I had really difficult months with the injury, but I’m happy to be available again and happy to have helped the win. I’m not an individual, I only think about Inter, to do the best for Inter.”
Porto midfielder Otavio was sent off after receiving a second yellow card 12 minutes from time. He had his first booking in a clash with Federico Dimarco Inter at the end of the first half.
The second leg is on March 14 in Porto.
“I think (the second yellow) was right, but the last 10 minutes were difficult for us,” said Porto coach Sergio Conceicao. “But there were also Inter players who deserved a yellow card. Lautaro (Martinez) should have had a yellow card and he wouldn’t have taken part in the second leg if he hadn’t been right. I don’t know if that’s right, you decide.”
Inter have lost only once since the beginning of November, while Porto entered the match on a 22-match unbeaten run and allowed only two goals in their past 11 matches.
Martínez was scoring a succession of goals, but in the 13th minute, he shot over the bar from close range.
Inter came close five minutes later but Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa reacted quickly, firing Hakan Calhanoglu’s cross under the crossbar.
Porto withstood the pressure of Inter well and had a chance in the 27th minute, but Marco Grujic fired over the bar.
The visitors then had two chances in quick succession as Grujic’s effort was saved by Inter goalkeeper Andre Onana and Gallino nodded wide.
The best chance and best save of the first half came in injury time as a free kick was hit from the right and it looked like Alessandro Bastoni would certainly score at the near post but Diogo Costa pushed his head wide with his forearm.
It was Onana’s turn for the champions early in the second half with a double save to deny first Mehdi Taremi and then Zaido.
Lukaku replaced Edin Dzeko in the 58th minute and came close to breaking the deadlock but his cross went over Martinez’s outstretched leg and the far post.
However, Lukaku scored with four minutes remaining. His header came from a cross by Niccolo Barella from the left post, but he cleared the rebound.
Rial