Inter 2-2 Borussia Monchengladbach: Lukaku rescues Nerazzurri

Romelu Lukaku scored in the 90th minute as Inter salvaged a 2-2 draw with Borussia Monchengladbach in a dramatic clash in Champions League Group B.

Lukaku opened the scoring four minutes into the second half at San Siro with his 10th goal in his last nine European appearances, but Gladbach had the victory in their grasp after Jonas Hofmann struck late on.

Antonio Conte’s side tasted defeat to city rivals Milan in Serie A last time out and looked set to be heading for another loss when Hofmann raced through to slot home following Ramy Bensebaini’s equaliser from the spot.

Yet Inter had the final say, with Lukaku on hand to bundle home his second from a corner and snatch a share of the spoils.

9 – Romelu #Lukaku has found the net in each of his last nine European competition games for @Inter, scoring 10 goals. Monster.#UCL #InterBorussia

— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) October 21, 2020

Inter had to wait until the midway point of the first half for a chance, when debutant Matteo Darmian picked out Christian Eriksen, whose effort was blocked by Christoph Kramer. 

Lukaku burst into life shortly before the interval, flashing a low shot wide of Yann Sommer’s right-hand post, and Inter were rewarded for an improved start to the second half when the Belgian turned home his fifth goal of the campaign after the ball had spun fortuitously his way.

Gladbach pulled level against the run of play shortly after the hour mark, Bensebaini powering home from the spot after Arturo Vidal had brought down Marcus Thuram in the area – a decision given following a review by referee Bjorn Kuipers.

Hofmann’s cool finish under Samir Handanovic seemed to have sealed the win for Gladbach in the 84th minute, with a lengthy VAR review deeming that Alassane Plea’s touch on the way through was from an onside position. 

It was not to be, though, with Lukaku on hand to rescue Inter as he tapped in from a yard out following Alessandro Bastoni’s flick-on from a corner.

6 – Romelu #Lukaku has been involved in each of the last six Champions League goals for Inter, thanks to four goals and two assists. Parsley.#UCL #InterBorussia pic.twitter.com/77ipFta7qN

— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) October 21, 2020

What does it mean? Profligate Inter escape with a point

Conte said he wanted his side to be “contenders” in this season’s Champions League, but if they are to go deep into the competition they will need to keep chaotic performances like this to a minimum. The hosts had a whopping 17 shots to Gladbach’s six and should never have found themselves requiring a last-minute goal to salvage a draw.

Lukaku spares Inter’s blushes… again

The Belgium international was a model of efficiency, with his two goals coming from his only two shots on target. Since the start of last season, only Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski (15) has scored more than Lukaku’s 11 goals across the Champions League and Europa League. 

Sanchez endures a first half to forget

Alexis Sanchez struggled in just his second start of the season and was hauled off at the break for Lautaro Martinez. No player completed fewer than the Chilean’s 11 passes during the opening 45 minutes, while the former Manchester United man lost possession eight times and won just one of his nine duels. 

What’s next?

Inter will hope to return to winning ways when they travel to Genoa in Serie A on Saturday. Gladbach, meanwhile, face a trip to Mainz 05 in the Bundesliga on the same day.