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UCL: Lukaku back in Inter squad as Inzaghi plots to upstage Barca

Inter Milan manager Simone Inzaghi has revealed that Romelu Lukaku is back to full fitness and is expected to be in the squad for tomorrow’s UEFA Champions League clash against Viktoria Plzen.

Lukaku has played only thrice this season since rejoining Inter Milan on loan from Chelsea in July, and he has not featured since August 26.

The 29-year-old Belgian will be making his first Champions League appearance of the campaign tomorrow as Inter Milan eye a round of 16 spot ahead of Barcelona.

Victory for the Italians at home over the bottom team of Group C will guarantee a spot in the knockout rounds for Inter Milan, leaving Barcelona to finish third in the group and drop down to the UEFA Europa League.

“On the day of the draw we knew that we weren’t very lucky, but that we would play it anyway,” Inzaghi told Sky Sports Italy today.

“Tomorrow we have a great chance in front of ours fans, but we will face a team that is dominating its championship; we will have to be careful. Winning would be very important to conquer the first goal of the season.”

The former Italy international then announced the return of Lukaku to the squad.

“Romelu Lukaku and Gagliardini will return. For Brozovic there are still a few days left, we’ll see if we can accelerate.

“If he (Lukaku) confirms the last training sessions, he will be called up. He is working with enthusiasm and desire. He is a very important player for us; he missed two months.

“It was a serious loss, but on an offensive level we always have done well. Obviously we can always improve and with his return we will do it.”

Bayern Munich have already won the group and advanced to the round of 16 with four wins out of four games.

Inter took four points from their back-to-back fixtures against Barcelona and the Italians are second with seven points, three ahead of Barcelona, while Viktoria Plzen are pointless.

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