Inter Milan secured a 1-0 win in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 tie against Porto last night.
Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku came off the bench to grab the winner for the Italians.
The goal was the perfect statement the 29-year-old could have made after Inter CEO Beppe Marotta’s comments on his weight.
Lukaku has struggled to impress on his return to the San Siro club for his second loan spell.
His strike against the Portuguese was a timely reminder of what a motivated Lukaku is capable of doing on his day.
The Chelsea striker has scored four goals in 13 appearances across all competitions for Inter this term.
He has seen just 40 minutes of action in the Champions League this season.
Nevertheless, Lukaku’s return of two goals is the best minute-to-goal ratio for a player who has made more than one appearance in the competition.
The former Manchester United man bagged his first Serie A goal in 189 days against Udinese on Saturday.
Lukaku was on the pitch for 37 minutes last night and had just 16 touches.
Six came in Porto’s box, and he attempted four shots and created two chances.
His weight has always been a subject of discussion since he became a professional player.
However, Lukaku looked fitter and slimmer against Porto and appears motivated to prove his detractors wrong again.
Simone Inzaghi’s side are not one of the favourites to win the Champions League.
However, they have a narrow advantage ahead of the second leg of the last-16.
Booking a place in the quarter-final seems within reach, and anything can happen in the rest of the competition.
