Europa League: 'We have to learn to kill games off' - Lukaku

Inter Milan Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku celebrates after scoring. Photo: Inter

Italian side Inter Milan have reached the last four stage of the UEFA Europa League after beating German side Bayer Leverkusen 2-1 on Tuesday 11 August.

Nicola Barella opened scoring for Inter Milan in the 15th minute and Romelu Lukaku made it two in the 21st minute to help the Italian club enter the semis of the tournament.

Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku broke record for being the first player ever to score in nine consecutive UEFA Europa League (UEL) matches.

Romelu Lukaku the "RECORD-BREAKER" ⬇

📈 | RECORD-BREAKER @RomeluLukaku9 has become the first player 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 to score in 9⃣ consecutive #UEL appearances 💪

𝐎𝐔𝐓𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐆 👏👏👏#InterLeverkusen 2⃣-1⃣#FORZAINTER ⚫🔵 pic.twitter.com/dJOjNGLm9E

— Inter (@Inter_en) August 10, 2020

According to BBCSport: Lukaku controlled Ashley Young's pass, turned a defender and slotted home for his 31st goal of the season.
Kai Havertz smashed home from six yards out to give Leverkusen hope but they could not find a leveller to force extra time in the one-off tie.
Antonio Conte's side will face the winner of Shakhtar Donetsk v Basel in the semi-final on 17 August, also in Dusseldorf.
Lukaku is the first player to ever score in nine Uefa Cup or Europa League matches in a row, although that run includes five games for Everton in 2014-15.
He twice prepared to take a penalty - in the first half and in injury time at the end - but both times the decisions were overturned by the video assistant referee.
The Italian side could have beaten Leverkusen by more with Lukaku forcing Lukas Hradecky into a good save and former Premier League players Christian Eriksen, Alexis Sanchez and Victor Moses going close after coming off the bench.

Since Cameroonian former striker Samuel Eto'o in 2010-11, Lukaku is now Inter Milan's top scorer in a season.

From Left: Romelu Lukaku and Ashley Young worked together for Inter Milan's second goal against Bayer Leverkusen. Photo: Inter

He said: "We are growing but we have to learn to kill games off when we have the chances to do it, and we didn't tonight.

"Now we have time to recover physically and prepare for another great game. We will have to be ready."