Lukaku sends Inter into Europa League semis
Inter Milan's Belgian forward Romelu Lukaku (left) celebrates scoring his goal with teamate Ashley Young during their Uefa Europa League quarter-final match against Bayer 04 Leverkusen at the Duesseldorf Arena on August 10, 2020 in Duesseldorf, western Germany. PHOTO | MARTIN MEISSNER | AFP
What you need to know:
- "The defence did a tremendous job again tonight. We are growing but we have to learn to kill games off when we have the chances to do it, and we didn't tonight," said Lukaku.
- "Now we have time to recover physically and prepare for another great game. We will have to be ready."
DUSSELDORF
Romelu Lukaku scored as Inter Milan defeated Bayer Leverkusen 2-1 in Monday's Europa League quarter-final in Dusseldorf, becoming the first team through to the last four of a mini tournament behind closed doors in Germany.
Three-time former winners Inter struck first through Nicolo Barella as he guided in from the edge of the area on 15 minutes, with Lukaku bundling in a second six minutes later.
Kai Havertz reduced the deficit in possibly his final game for Leverkusen with a well-worked goal on 25 minutes after exchanging passes with fellow Germany international Kevin Volland, but Inter held on to seal their place in the semi-finals.
Antonio Conte's side will take on Ukrainian champions Shakhtar Donetsk or Swiss club Basel next Monday in Dusseldorf for a place in the final on August 21.
"The defence did a tremendous job again tonight. We are growing but we have to learn to kill games off when we have the chances to do it, and we didn't tonight," said Lukaku.
"Now we have time to recover physically and prepare for another great game. We will have to be ready."
