Inter Milan – Football Flame

23Apr

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Lukaku’s ban overturned in statement against racism

Romelu Lukaku of FC Internazionale in action during the FC Internazionale training session at the club's training ground Suning Training Center on April 22, 2023 in Como, Italy. Inter Milan striker Romelu Lukaku will play in the Coppa Italia semi-final second leg against Juventus after his one-match ban was overturned by the president of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) as a measure to fight racism.Inter expressed their disappointment on Friday when Italy’s Sports Court of Appeal upheld the ban for Lukaku, imposed after he was sent off in the first leg after a ‘hush’ gesture to fans who targeted him with racial abuse.FIGC President Gabriele Gravina overturned the suspension after evaluating the report of the Federal Prosecutor’s Office. The report indicated “unequivocally ...

20Apr

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Champions League, Inter Milan, NEWS, UCL

Inter see off Benfica to set up Milan derby semi-final

Rafa Silva of SL Benfica is challenged by Nicolo Barella of FC Internazionale during the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal second leg match between FC Internazionale and SL Benfica at San Siro Stadium on April 19, 2023 in Milan, Italy.Inter Milan secured a historic Champions League semi-final with arch-rivals AC Milan despite being held by Benfica at an ecstatic San Siro. Leading 2-0 from the first leg in Lisbon, Inter increased their aggregate lead following Nicolo Barella’s sumptuous finish before a bullet header by Fredrik Aursnes gave Benfica hope. Argentina World Cup winner Lautaro Martinez and substitute Joaquin Correa made it 5-1 on aggregate before Benfica scored two late goals through Antonio Silva and Petar Musa. Inter have lost four of their past five games in Serie A to ...

17Apr

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Inter Milan, Romelu Lukaku, TRANSFERS, UCL

Romelu Lukaku ‘to return to Chelsea this summer’

Romelu Lukaku of FC Internazionale applauds the fans after the team's defeat at the end of the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and AC Monza at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on April 15, 2023 in Milan, Italy.Romelu Lukaku is reportedly prepared to return to Chelsea after the conclusion of this season, with Inter Milan unable to finance a deal to extend the player's stay in Italy.The 29-year-old joined Inter on loan from Stamford Bridge for this season but has struggled with injuries on his return to the San Sario, managing just 18 appearances in Serie A so far.Despite being sidelined for periods of the season, the Belgium international has provided some telling moments for his side, scoring in the Champions League over the past month against both Porto an...

16Apr

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Inter Milan, Romelu Lukaku, SERIE A, UCL

Inter to appeal Lukaku Coppa Italia ban against Juventus

Romelu Lukaku (#90 FC Inter) during FC Internazionale against AC Monza, Serie A, at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on April 15th, 2023.Inter have reportedly decided to lodge an appeal against Romelu Lukaku’s Coppa Italia semi-final ban after he was booked for responding to racist insults from Juventus fans. That was his second yellow card, handed out for ‘celebrating in a provocative way’ towards the Juve supporters who were behind the goal. Lukaku insisted that he always celebrates goals like this, with a military salute and a finger to the lips, which was indeed already seen when playing for Belgium earlier this year. It was still considered to be a provocation and the presence of racist chants from the fans behind the goal did not help his cause, but Inter lawyers hope they can at least ...

11Apr

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Champions League, Inter Milan, Romelu Lukaku

Lukaku scores as Inter Milan win at Benfica

Romelu Lukaku of FC Internazionale during the UEFA Champions League match between Benfica v Internazionale at the Estadio Da Luz on April 11, 2023 in Porto Portugal.Romelu Lukaku scored an 82nd-minute penalty as Inter Milan put themselves in a strong position to advance to the semi-finals of the Champions League after a deserved win away to Benfica. Nicolo Barella’s downward header gave Inter the lead in the quarter-final first leg in Lisbon. Benfica struggled to dictate play in front of their own fans as Inter produced a defensive masterclass in Lisbon. Rafa Silva was denied by Andre Onana’s first-half save before Inter’s Netherlands defender Denzel Dumfries produced a crucial block from close range as Benfica pushed for an equaliser. The Italian visitors wrapped up a solid win when...

2Apr

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Inter Milan, SERIE A

Inter struggle ahead of Champions League quarter-finals

Inter Milan's Albanian midfielder Kristjan Asllani (L) and Fiorentina's Italian midfielder Giacomo Bonaventura go for the ball during the Italian Serie A football match between Inter and Fiorentina on April 1, 2023 at the Giuseppe-Meazza (San Siro) stadium in Milan.With a Champions League quarter-final match against Benfica coming up, Inter Milan are in far-from-perfect form. The Nerazzurri were beaten 1-0 at home by Fiorentina on Saturday for their third straight loss in Serie A. Giacomo Bonaventura headed in a rebound early in the second half after Inter centre forward Romelu Lukaku inexplicably missed a wide-open close-range chance. It was Fiorentina’s eighth straight win across all competitions, and the Viola extended their unbeaten run to 10 games. Fiorentina, who face Lech Pozn...

15Mar

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Champions League, Edin Dzeko, Inter Milan, Porto

Inter reaches Champions League quarters after 0-0 draw at Porto

Edin Dzeko of Internazionale runs with the ball during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 leg two match between FC Porto and FC Internazionale at Estadio do Dragao on March 14, 2023 in Porto, Portugal.Heroic defending and the woodwork helped Inter Milan reach the Champions League quarterfinals for the first time in more than a decade. Inter managed a 0-0 draw at Porto on Tuesday to progress 1-0 on aggregate and join city rival AC Milan in the final eight. Napoli could become the third Italian team in the quarterfinals when it plays Eintracht Frankfurt on Wednesday. All the drama was saved for the fifth minute of stoppage time as a goalline clearance, the post and the crossbar prevented Porto from snatching the goal that would have taken the match to extra time. “In soccer, luck ma...

11Mar

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Daniel Maldini, Inter Milan, SERIE A, Spezia

Inter Milan stunned by relegation threatened Spezia

Daniel Maldini of Spezia Calcio scores a goal during the Serie A match between Spezia Calcio and FC Internazionale at Stadio Alberto Picco on March 11, 2023 in La Spezia, Italy.Inter Milan missed the chance to cut Napoli’s huge lead at the top of Serie A lead on Friday after suffering a shock 2-1 defeat to relegation-threatened Spezia. Goals from Daniel Maldini and M’Bala Nzola either side of a Romelu Lukaku penalty handed fourth-from-bottom Spezia a crucial victory in their bid to avoid the drop. But the defeat was another bodyblow to Inter’s faint hopes of overhauling Napoli at the top of the table. Napoli are now 15 points clear of second-placed Inter at the top of the table and have played one game less. Inter paid the price for failing to take the chances which came their way, w...

23Feb

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Inter Milan, Romelu Lukaku, UCL

Lukaku gives Inter first-leg win over 10-man Porto

Romelu Lukaku of Internazionale (C) celebrates his goal during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 leg one match between FC Internazionale and FC Porto at San Siro Stadium on February 22, 2023 in Milan, Italy. Substitute Romelu Lukaku scored the only goal as Inter Milan beat 10-man Porto in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie. Lukaku converted a rebound after his first effort had bounced off the post in the 86th minute at the San Siro. Porto had a double chance at 0-0, but Inter goalkeeper Andre Onana denied both Zaidu Sanusi and Mehdi Taremi. The visitors had Otavio sent off in the 78th minute for two bookable offences and could not keep Inter out. The second leg takes place at Porto's Estadio do Dragao on Tuesday, 14 March. Lukaku, who has played for Chelsea, West ...

19Jan

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Edin Dzeko, Inter Milan, Super Coppa

Inter react to winning Supercoppa Italiana

Edin Dzeko of FC Internazionale celebrates after winning the EA Sports Supercup match between AC Milan and FC Internazionale at King Fahd International Stadium on January 18, 2023 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.Inter coach Simone Inzaghi called it a ‘perfect match’ after his side swept to a 3-0 victory over city rivals AC Milan to lift the Supercoppa Italiana for the second year in a row. The Nerazzurri had been in better form and had fewer injuries than the Rossoneri going into the game in Saudi Arabia and it showed as Federico Dimarco and Edin Dzeko both found the net in the opening 21 minutes. Lautaro Martinez added the third in the final 15 minutes. “We were good at preparing for a perfect match, we were always lucid and compact, we won a very important cup,” Inzaghi enthused, adding that sec...