• News

‘We have Alexis’ Conte not worried about Lukaku’s absence vs Juventus

Lukaku
Getty Images
Advertisement

Romelu Lukaku will miss Inter’s Coppa Italia clash against Juventus but Antonio Conte insists he is not worried by the absence of the Belgian.

Antonio Conte is not bothered about the fact that Romelu Lukaku will be absent when Inter take on Juventus in the Coppa Italia.

The Nerazzurri will host Juventus in the first leg of the Coppa Italia semi-final tomorrow.

Just two weeks ago, both sides met in Serie A and it was Inter who came out victorious with a 2-0 score-line.

Another great clash between the Italian giants awaits but Antonio Conte will be unable to call on one of his best players.

Lukaku is suspended for the first leg after he was given a one-match suspension alongside Ibrahimovic for their recent bust-up. However, the Inter boss remains confident in his available players.

Romelu Lukaku is suspended for the first leg.

“It’s not the first time Romelu is missing, there will be Alexis and Lautaro. Romelu is fine, he responded well with two goals to Benevento. Now he will be able to rest and prepare for the next Serie A match.” Conte said to Rai Sport.

The Inter boss also says that his side must be at their best to take a victory against a ‘great’ side.

“There must be great respect for a very strong team. We’ll need to make a great game,” he continued.

“The qualification will be played over 180 minutes as it happened last season with Napoli, when we lost at home 1-0 and then drew 1-1 at San Paolo. We must try to do our best, we must be good,” the coach added.

After reports linked Eriksen with an exit from the club, the Danish midfielder has been something of a ‘hero’ over recent weeks. This came after his stunning free-kick in stoppage time that saw Inter claim a 2-1 win over rivals Milan in the Coppa Italia quarter-finals.

Conte was asked if the 28-year-old would start against Juve but remained coy with his response.

“He is such a nice guy, he is putting in so much commitment, we are trying to work with him in order to give him, me and the team one more choice.”

x