08 January 2023 , 10:25
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Edin Dzeko was spotted laughing after Romelu Lukaku 's calamitous first touch for Inter Milan on Saturday.
The former Premier League strikers both play for the Italian giants, who made the trip to Monza in search of a fourth successive Serie A victory. It looked that way for much of the dramatic contest, until a 93rd-minute own goal from Denzel Dumfries.
But newly-promoted Monzo's late equaliser may never have come if Lukaku - on loan from Chelsea and recovering from a nightmare personal campaign at the World Cup with Belgium - had been tidier at the other end of the pitch. With the scoreline 2-1, the 29-year-old replaced Dzeko in the 55th minute as Inter boss Simone Inzaghi looked to see out the game in a comfortable manner.
It proved to be anything but, though, as Lukaku's disappointing cameo was capped by a poor piece of play which allowed Monza to create their equaliser. In the 92nd minute, Inter wing-back Robin Gosens took a throw-in and picked out his teammate standing near the corner flag.
It looked like a routine control for Lukaku, but the Belgian fumbled his touch and put the ball out for a throw. It was at that moment when the Sky Italia cameras picked out Dzeko's hysterics, laughing amongst his fellow substitutes on the sidelines. The ex- Manchester City hitman appeared to be ridiculing Lukaku - but it'd be no laughing matter soon enough.
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As Monzo regained possession, the side 14th in the league table forged an attack to punish Inter's leaky back line. Midfielder Patrick Ciurria arced cross into the penalty area and defender Luca Caldirola rose highest alongside Dumfries. Monza's man got there first but the slight deflection off the Inter star's head saw the ball sail over goalkeeper Andre Onana and into the back to the net.
Romelu Lukaku had a routine task late in the game (Sky Italia)
But his poor touch led to Inter conceding a late equaliser (Sky Italia)Have your say! Should Lukaku return to Chelsea next season? Let us know your verdict in the comments section.
Fortunately for the Nerazzurri, Onana sprung into action just minutes later to deny Monzo a last-gasp winner. It was Caldirola threatening again from youngster Andrea Colpani's cross, but the Cameroonian goalkeeper made an impressive save just seconds before the full-time whistle blew.
There were no smiles or laughs for Inter afterwards, as Inzaghi fumed at officials for disallowing a goal which would've made it 3-1 to the visitors. "We are very angry, because clearly there was an error," the Nerazzurri manager, who was booked for his protests, told Sky Italia post-match. "After five years of VAR, a foul was given where two Monza players trip up on each other.
"Everyone knows to wait and see what happens. Along with Lautaro [Martinez] hitting the post, we would've been 3-1 up, but are instead talking about a draw that comes from a serious mistake."