Inter striker Romelu Lukaku feels that with all of the faith that the club has shown in him, it is up to him to pay it back with his performances on the pitch.
Speaking to Italian broadcaster Sky Sport Italia after his match-winning performance for the Nerazzurri in a 3-0 win over Empoli, via FCInterNews, the Belgian suggested that he is finally starting to feel back to something like his best and that his performances can reflect that.
It would be no stretch to say that Lukaku has not been at his best since returning to Inter on loan from Chelsea last summer.
Whilst there have been flashes of what the 29-year-old is capable of, not least his decisive impact in the Champions League against Porto, injuries and fitness issues have restricted him from showing why he was brought back.
Nowhere has this been more evident than in the fact that Lukaku, who had been Inter’s top scorer in both of his first two seasons at the club, hadn’t scored from open play since the first match of the season against Lecce.
All of that changed in the second half against Empoli, where the dams seemed to burst as the Belgian scored twice and then set up Lautaro Martinez to wrap up the three points late on.
Of his extremely well-taken goal, which has been labelled as “vintage Lukaku,” the striker said that “Sure, I needed it, but I’m getting better and better, the coaching staff and I are working very well to get me back to my best after I suffered from a serious injury for the first time in my career.”
“Now I have to keep contributing to the team until the end of the season,” he added.
Lukaku also noted that “I also want to thank the FIGC {resident for giving me the chance to play against Juve – it’s a step forward in combating the problem [of racism in football.]”
“Now we’re focused on Wednesday’s match,” the striker said.
“My goal is always to do my best for Inter,” he added. “This club gave me everything, and so now I have to return the favour.”
