Lukaku Gives Perfect Response to Inter CEO After Scoring Winner Against Porto

• Romelu Lukaku made the difference as Inter Milan beat Porto 1-0 in the round of 16 first leg
• Inter CEO criticised the striker's weight as the reason he was named on the bench
• The Belgian fired back a response after his cameo off the bench gave Inter the advantage going into the second leg

Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku has had quite a nomadic career so far, having played for clubs across Belgium, England and Italy. He is in his second spell at Inter Milan, which has not gone quite well as the first.

He helped Inter Milan lift the Scudetto in 2021, which earned him a £97.5m move to Chelsea in the summer, but his relationship with former head coach Thomas Tuchel broke down after a controversial interview.

He returned to Italy but has struggled with weight issues and many injuries, which has made the Nerazzuri contemplate signing him permanently or extending his loan as he is unwilling to return to England.

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Barotta criticises Lukaku's weight

Lukaku was named on the bench for the crucial match, with Edin Dzeko preferred over him. Inter Milan CEO Beppe Barotta speaking to Sky Italia ahead of the game, as quoted by talkSPORT, revealed why he was benched.

“Why is Lukaku on the bench? Romelu has 103 kg to carry on his shoulders. He must be physically fit.” he said.

Lukaku responds to Barotta

The Belgian came off the bench to replace Dzeko in the 58th minute with the scores still tied at 0-0 and scored a late goal to give his team an advantage into the second leg.

He crashed a header off the post from Nicolo Barella's cross and reacted quickly to round the keeper and slot it home in the 86th minute of the encounter. He had a perfect response to Barotta afterwards.

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“Wow, look at me up top… I’m in great shape, mamma mia!” he joked in his post-match conference with Sky Sports, reported by Fabrizio Romano.

Inter and Porto chant Mourinho's name

Sports Brief earlier reported that ahead of the game, Porto and Inter fans united in chanting for Jose Mourinho, who has previously managed both clubs.

The Special One has won two UEFA Champions League in his career, with Porto in 2004 and Inter Milan in 2010, leading both teams to glory in remarkable fashion.

The Portuguese is currently at Italian club AS Roma. A team he led to European success in his first season, the inaugural UEFA Europa Conference League.