Video: Chelsea loanee Romelu Lukaku scores late winner in crucial Champions League tie amid critics from Inter CEO

Inter Milan CEO Beppe Marotta was rather blunt when discussing Romelu Lukaku before the team's Champions League match against FC Porto.

Marotta spoke about the Belgian striker's fitness just prior to kick-off, which has been a struggle all season.

There's a school of thought that Lukaku's weight is one of the reasons behind his poor goal scoring form in 2022/23.

What did Marotta say about Lukaku?

“I have to say he has 103kg to carry around, so he needs to be in perfect physical shape to deliver and he is not there yet," Marotta told Sky Sport Italia, per Goal.

"He’s getting there and the coach is the best person to evaluate how he is doing and how he should be used. Games tend to last almost 100 minutes nowadays, so the players who come off the bench can be just as important as what I like to call their co-starters.

“Unfortunately, another problem with this anomalous season is the World Cup, which was midway through the first half of the campaign. I can see that participation in the World Cup affected many players, some feel it more than others, and Lukaku had an injury that meant he was reduced to practically a cameo at that tournament."

Given his fitness issues, Lukaku wasn't chosen to start against Porto - but that didn't stop him from being Inter's match-winner on the night.

The man on loan from Chelsea entered the fray in the second half and then opened the scoring very late on.

It certainly wasn't the greatest goal ever scored in the Champions League, Lukaku converting his own rebound after initially hitting the post with a header.

But they all count and what better way to respond to Marotta's scathing comments than with some 86th minute heroics, eh?

Video: Lukaku's winning goal vs Porto

Romelu Lukaku converts at the second bite of the cherry 🍒

Inter finally find the breakthrough in the remaining minutes of the first-leg...#UCL pic.twitter.com/X8IqSjTt9F

— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) February 22, 2023

ROMELU LUKAKU FOUR MINUTES FROM TIME. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/kBcNWEBWm5

— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) February 22, 2023

    That's now two goals in two games by Lukaku, some welcome respite for a player who's endured a very difficult 12 months or so.

Inter will now take a 1-0 advantage to Portugal in a few weeks time, which could be vital given how good Porto are on home soil.

But up next for Simone Inzaghi's side is a must-win away fixture against Bologna in Serie A.

Inter's place in next season's Champions League is far from certain right now, so they need to keep winning league matches.