For the second meeting in a row, ex-Nerazzurri striker Romelu Lukaku was a “ghost” for Roma against his old side Inter Milan.
This is the view in today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews.
The moment that Lukaku joined Roma last summer, there were two dates he’ll have been circling on his calendar.
The fact that the Belgian signed for a Serie A team mean that two meetings with Inter were inevitable.
And the Nerazzurri held a particular significance for Lukaku – that’s understating things.
Lukaku had looked poised to join Inter last summer on a permanent basis from Chelsea. But things fell apart in spectacular fashion – not just the transfer, but the 30-year-old’s relationship with a club he had spent three seasons playing for.
So both matches against Inter were always going to be big ones for Lukaku personally.
Romelu Lukaku A “Ghost” For Roma Vs Inter Again
In the first meeting, Lukaku had had hardly gotten a touch on the ball.
The fact that that match had come at the San Siro certainly played a significant role.
The Inter fans in attendance on that evening did everything they could to put the Belgian off. There were loud whistles every time he became involved.
At the Stadio Olimpico yesterday, however, there was no such situation.
Lukaku was playing in front of his own fans. It was theoretically a much more hospitable setting in which to get some revenge on his former team.
But that made little difference.
Perhaps Lukaku’s performance was more impactful than in the reverse fixture.
The 30-year-old did at least have one good chance. But he fluffed his lines, as a slightly heavy touch allowed Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer to reach the ball.
And other than that, Lukaku was unable to truly cause problems for the Inter defense.
Another evening to forget for the Belgian.
