Lazio and Italy defender Francesco Acerbi has given his thoughts about Inter striker Romelu Lukaku ahead of the EURO 2020 quarter-final clash between Italy and Belgium.
Speaking to UEFA, the 33-year-old praised the Belgian’s qualities but said that he feels prepared to come up against the 28-year-old.
Acerbi has experience playing against the Belgian, encountering him during Serie A fixtures between Inter and Lazio, and understands the threat posed by his opponent for today’s match in front of goal and all over the pitch.
A running theme in the lead-up to the match has been whether or not the Italian defense will be able to contain Lukaku, a player who is well known to Serie A players, coaches, and fans.
The Belgian finished last season top of the league for combined goals and assists, showing how effective he can be, and Acerbi is aware of this, though he notes that he has managed to keep the Inter man quiet in past club encounters.
His words:
“He’s a great forward. He’s had a real impact in Serie A as well as with Belgium. If you give him any space, he can score. You always have to be switched on, you can’t leave him anything. But I’ve stopped him before.”
