As part of an interview with Italian television show Tiki Taka, which was broadcast late last night, Inter striker Romelu Lukaku spoke on a range of topics.
The first topic of conversation was how he came to appreciate Inter manager Antonio Conte and the way he tries to have his teams play.
“In a friendly match between the Italian and the Belgian national team in Brussels, I remember that the Azzurri played with Pellè and Eder up top. The former had three chances to score three goals in a few minutes, from there I thought I liked Conte’s play style. I thought I would have fun with him as a coach.
“I very much like the way he does things. We talked, he said he would manage Chelsea, the team I played for as a young man and that we would find ourselves working together someday.”
The Belgian international proceeded to discuss how he has found life in Serie A since joining Inter this past Summer from Manchester United in what was a club record transfer for Inter.
“Serie A is a different league from the one I last played in, the defenders here are the best in Europe. The training sessions are also different here, the focus is on the physique. The first two months were difficult but I was always thinking about the future and what I could become.
“I am young and I want to work even more to improve. In England many games are similar, here every match is different.”
Next he spoke on how it felt to play- and score – in the Milan derby for the first time a few months ago.
“It was a great feeling. Playing in Italy and for Inter was a dream for me. The first final I saw as a child was Inter-Lazio, the 1998 UEFA Cup final. I wanted to play for Inter, because I always have admired the great strikers the club have had like Ronaldo, Vieri and Adriano “.
He then explained why former Inter striker Adriano is among the footballing idols he had when he was growing up.
“He was strong, had a great left foot and when I was playing the Play Station I chose him because it was easy to score goals from the halfway line.”
He was then asked if the best is yet to come from him and his developing partnership with strike partner Lautaro Martinez.
“My mentality is to try to always improve. At 26 I am not yet at the top. It is more important to work every day to try to improve the things I do less well.”
“My partnership with Lautaro? Before arriving I saw an Inter friendly in Appiano Gentile. I immediately noticed how he played and how he moved, I thought that if we played well together we could help the team.
“When I arrived I called and we immediately became friends. I also speak Spanish which has helped us to communicate on the field.”
Next he spoke on how he learned Italian and how he has found life in Italy so far.
“I learned it by listening to the Serie A, while watching my brother’s games. Life here in Italy is beautiful, my family and I are doing well in Milan. There has been some episode of racism but it has only happened at the stadium, but I hope it was the first and the last time.
“Inter’s BUU Brothers Universally United campaign is very beautiful and I will continue to fight because football in this country is important and we players must strive for improve it.”
In conclusion he explained why he celebrates by bowing to the crowd.
“When I arrived in Milan there were many fans already in Linate waiting for me, they made me feel great affection and love. For this I bow to them, to thank them.”
