Empoli 0-3 Inter Milan: Romelu Lukaku has seized the leading role at Internazionale. The Italian top club won well against number fifteen Empoli and therefore remains present in the battle for the top four places.
Lukaku takes revenge through an easy win for Internazionale
There was a lot to do around Lukaku in recent weeks. The Belgian was racially treated by a large part of the Curva Sud during a cup match against Juventus. He celebrated his goal with a gesture to silence the Juventus supporters. That was interpreted as provocative cheering, which resulted in Lukaku receiving a second yellow card.
This week it was announced that the suspension was lifted. Lukaku can therefore still be used for next Wednesday’s return in the semi-finals of the Coppa Italia. On Sunday against Empoli he showed how important that is. Just after the break, he entered into a combination with Marcelo Brozovic and shot in the opening goal from the edge of the sixteen-meter area.
Fifteen minutes before time, he also made his second of the afternoon. Lukaku sought out his opponent, passed around the outside and shot diagonally. With that, Lukaku made his first field goals in Serie A since August. The final chord was for Lautaro Martínez, who outwitted goalkeeper Samuele Perisan on a pass from Lukaku.
With three points in their pocket, Inter is now two points behind number four AS Roma with one game more. The top four teams are assured of Champions League football next season.
AC Milan 2-0 Lecce
AC Milan remains in the race for the Champions League tickets. Following fellow townsman Internazionale, AC Milan also won on Sunday. Two goals from Rafael Leão were good for a victory over low flyer Lecce. He towered over everything and everyone at the far post and headed in a cross from Sandro Tonali. Fifteen minutes before the end, he scored his second goal after a nice solo. Leão has become the second Portuguese, after Cristiano Ronaldo, to score at least 10 times in two Serie A seasons in a row.
The three points keep AC Milan in sight of the Champions League places. It is now fifth in Serie A and must finish in the top four for a CL ticket. Milan has the same number of points as AS Roma, which will play on Monday, but has a lesser goal difference. Next Saturday, AS Roma and AC Milan face each other. Inter is also in the race for fourth place.
