TURIN:
Romelu Lukaku scored a late goal in Inter Milan’s impressive 1-1 draw Juventus on Tuesday they left their Italian Cup semi-final all square after the first leg.
Belgium international Lukaku headed in from the penalty spot in the match to put both teams ahead of the second leg in Milan later this month, before being sent off after his performances in front of the fans.
Lukakuwho has long been on a book for late abuse of Federico Gatti, put his finger in front of his mouth and told the crowd to “shut up” while his friends booed him.
Reports that the 29-year-old was abused by some home supporters as he prepared to take his penalty have not been confirmed by Inter coach Simone Inzaghi or his Juve counterpart Massimiliano Allegri.
Juan Cuadrado thought he had given Juventus a lead to take to the San Siro in the 83rd minute of a tight game between the rivals in Turin that featured a few goals and finishes for both teams. in one’s throat.
Cuadrado and Inter goalkeeper Samir Handanovic were both sent off after the final whistle after the brawl that continued as the teams entered the tunnel at the Allianz Stadium.
“What happened was that Lukaku’s celebration was misunderstood, because he usually celebrates like that,” Inzaghi told Mediaset.
“We were up but couldn’t score, but I can’t criticize my players, it was a good performance.”
Lukaku’s strike was welcome news for Inzaghi who are under pressure after a poor run of results saw them drop to fourth in Serie A.
Angel Di Maria was unlucky not to put Juve in front after a drive with a low drive that Mattia Perin curled over.
Inter grew into the game and were perhaps the better team after the break, and Henrikh Mkhitaryan pulled a big chance in the 64th minute after a powerful effort from the outside.
However, Juve should have taken the lead in the 77th minute when Arkadiusz Milik failed to tap home Cuadrado’s errant shot with the goal at his mercy.
Cuadrado then got what he thought was the crucial goal as he collected Adrien Rabiot’s curling cross and finished well past Handanovic before slotting home the winner.
But Gleison Bremer wrapped up a gift for Lukaku to score his sixth goal of a difficult season at Inter with a ridiculous volley, after all hell had broken loose.
“I don’t know what happened, I went into the tunnel after the final whistle,” said Allegri.
“Nothing, just a bit of chaos at the end of an even game.”
On Wednesday Cremonese struggle to try to secure what will be the last place of the surprise cup when they host Fiorentina.
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