Inter Milan vs Shakhtar Donetsk: 5 Players to watch out for | UEFA Europa League 2019-20

Romelu Lukaku (left) and Lautaro Martinez will be key players for Inter Milan in their Europa League semi-final against Shakhtar Donetsk.
Romelu Lukaku (left) and Lautaro Martinez will be key players for Inter Milan in their Europa League semi-final against Shakhtar Donetsk.

#3 Júnior Moraes (Shakhtar Donetsk)

Shakhtar Donetsk v FC Basel - UEFA Europa League Quarter Final
Shakhtar Donetsk v FC Basel - UEFA Europa League Quarter Final

Luis Castro’s side has a formidable attack, spearheaded by striker Júnior Moraes who had 17 goals and seven assists in the domestic league and at 33, the Brazil-born Ukrainian international can be considered a late bloomer.

He has started every single game for the club in the competition and is their top goal contributor with five goals as well as one assist. His goals have helped his club win their fourth consecutive league title and his current form also gives them the confidence of beating the resilient Inter Milan tonight.

This season, Moraes' goals have been especially crucial for Shakhtar and in an unusual trend, the club has not lost any game in which he has found the back of the net. So will his goal-scoring exploits and as a result, Shakhtar's unbeaten run continue against Inter as well? We'll find out tonight.


#2 Nicolò Barella (Inter Milan)

FC Internazionale v Bayer 04 Leverkusen - UEFA Europa League Quarter Final
FC Internazionale v Bayer 04 Leverkusen - UEFA Europa League Quarter Final

Nicolò Barella might've only scored four goals across all competitions, one in each but his contributions in the midfield present a telling picture of how well he fits into Inter's current set-up.

The 23-year-old’s intelligent movement provides his side with the ability to open up spaces behind the opponents and allows for the wing-backs to assume forward positions and work the ball in from the flanks.

As a central midfielder, he helps provide the side with a fine balance often providing cover for Brozovic as a secondary defensive midfielder and aiding Gagliardini in moving the ball forward. He is young and full of energy and his ability to maintain an intense press will be key in keeping the pressure on Shakhtar.


#1 Romelu Lukaku (Inter Milan)

FC Internazionale v Bayer 04 Leverkusen - UEFA Europa League Quarter Final
FC Internazionale v Bayer 04 Leverkusen - UEFA Europa League Quarter Final

Manchester United crashed out of the semi-finals yesterday and for Romelu Lukaku, who secured a move away from the club last summer for £73 million to revive his career, making it into the final with Inter Milan would be the greatest vindication he can imagine.

He is having one of the finest debut seasons for an Inter player, with his goal tally only bettered by the great Ronaldo Nazario's 34 from the 1997-98. He has 31 goals and five assists across all competition and his success is mostly credited to the 3-5-2 system in which he partners up with Lautaro Martinez, a striker who is not afraid to do all the running off the ball.

He has not failed to score in a Europa League game since 2014 and it's expected that the towering Belgian will be on target tonight as well, helping his side secure a date with Sevilla at the RheinEnergieStadion on Friday.


Also See: Inter Milan vs Shakhtar Donetsk prediction, preview, team news and more | UEFA Europa League 2019-20

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Edited by Sai Teja
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