Inter's fearsome 'LuLa' duo firing again as they face rivals Milan in Champions League

Inter Milan's fearsome “LuLa” striking partnership is firing on all cylinders again as the club prepare to battle local rivals AC Milan in a Champions League semi-final showdown.

Romelu Lukaku and Lautaro Martínez's potent double-act was dubbed “LuLa” during the Belgian’s first spell at Inter, when their goals helped the club to clinch the Serie A title in 2021.

Argentine Martínez has continued to lead the line this season as Lukaku's return on loan from Chelsea was initially dogged by injury issues and poor form.

But the partnership is back up and running as Lukaku has rediscovered his mojo just at the right time, scoring three goals in his last three Serie A matches. The Belgian striker has also chipped in with three assists in those games.

Inter coach Simone Inzaghi said on Tuesday: “We had a period in which our strikers weren't scoring. But I was calm then and I am now because we always had the chances.

“Romelu is very important for us and we brought him in for this, for the goals he's scoring. He had an injury that kept him out for nearly four months, but now he's good, he's scoring and he's helping us. He's an extra weapon for us.”

Inter are aiming to reach the Champions League final for the first time since Jose Mourinho led them to a Serie A, Italian Cup and European Cup treble in 2010.

The first leg of the all-Milan showdown is on Wednesday, with the second leg taking place next Tuesday.

Lukaku's return to form has coincided with Inter shaking off a poor run that saw them clock up just one victory in nine matches. They have now won their last five matches in all competitions, racking up 15 goals and conceding just one.

Now they are aiming to land another treble as they face Fiorentina in the Italian Cup final on