Roma striker Romelu Lukaku is calm ahead of this evening’s Serie A match away to Inter Milan, despite the controversy surrounding his return.
This according to today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews.
There is no doubt about it. Lukaku’s return to the San Siro is the dominant subplot of Roma’s trip to face Inter in Serie A.
This is the Belgian’s first match back at the stadium after his controversial summer transfer saga.
Lukaku alienated his teammates, infuriated the club, and provoked a sense of betrayal from the Inter fans due to his negotiations with Juventus and AC Milan.
Therefore, the reaction to Lukaku from the San Siro will be negative – putting it very mildly.
The question, then, could be how the 30-year-old will handle the pressure.
Romelu Lukaku Calm Ahead Of Trip To San Siro To Face Inter
According to the Gazzetta, however, the mood around Roma is calm.
Naturally, Giallorossi coach Jose Mourinho has spoken to Lukaku about the psychological dynamic of his return to the San Siro.
No one is hiding the fact that there is bad blood.
And of course, the negative reaction from fans could always be enough to put a player off their game.
But according to the Gazzetta, Lukaku is not heading into this evening’s match feeling like he has a point to prove.
Naturally the Belgian will want to get on the scoresheet, and for his team to win.
But according to the newspaper, Lukaku has always been keen to avoid the controversy overshadowing what was on the pitch.
The striker largely stayed silent during the summer. This was seemingly due to a desire to avoid distractions.
And that has been the kind of mood that Lukaku has been in prior to this evening’s match as well, the Gazzetta report.
