Former Inter midfielder Luigi Di Biagio has given his opinion that Italy’s defenders will be able to effectively mark Inter and Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku in Friday’s EURO 2020 quarterfinal encounter between Italy and Belgium.
Speaking to Italian broadcaster Sky Sport Italia, Di Biagio brought up the significance of the clash between Belgium’s talisman and Italy’s defensive partnership of Leonardo Bonucci and Girogio Chiellini.
Di Biagio’s remarks highlight the way that the club game informs international fixtures, with the 28-year-old Lukaku finding immense success in Italy with the Nerazzurri, but becoming an antagonist for the Italian national team and Rome when he plays for his country.
Moreover, Di Biagio, formerly of Inter among other clubs, is highly familiar with the Belgian’s games from watching him at Inter, but during an international tournament roots for his country who are set to face Belgium.
Chiellini and Bonucci will have no shortage of experience coming up against the Belgium, and the familiarity between the players from club encounters between Juventus and Inter could influence how each approaches the situation, though it remains to be seen whether the Bianconeri duo will be successful at containing Lukaku or if the Belgian will get the better of Italy’s defense.
Di Biagio’s words:
“Keeping [Lukaku] very far from the area is important. On the other hand, if you leave him a lot of open field, that is also a problem. Bonucci and Chiellini, however, know how to stop him. Lukaku is of the very highest level, but in my opinion they will be able to creat a two-on-one against him, giving him very little space.”
