Lukaku exploits Conte’s effect at Napoli to hurt Milan again

epa11691112 Napoli’s Romelu Lukaku (R) celebrates after scoring the 0-1 goal during the Italian Serie A soccer match between AC Milan and SSC Napoli, in Milan, Italy, 29 October 2024. EPA-EFE/DANIEL DAL ZENNARO

Romelu Lukaku broke the deadlock three minutes into Napoli’s meeting with Milan, once again proving how playing under Antonio Conte inspires him to hurt the Rossoneri.

Lukaku-Conte partnership hurts Milan again

The Partenopei’s opener at the San Siro was Lukaku’s sixth goal against Milan, all of which came when he was playing for the former Chelsea manager.

The Belgium international had last found the net against the Rossoneri during Inter’s 3-0 win over the city rivals in February 2021, a season-defining fixture in a campaign that saw Conte steer the Nerazzurri to their 19th Scudetto.

NAPOLI, ITALY – AUGUST 31: Romelu Lukaku of SSC Napoli talks with his coach Antonio Conte during the Serie A match between Napoli and Parma at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on August 31, 2024 in Napoli, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

Since then, Lukaku has met Milan on five more occasions, playing for Simone Inzaghi’s Inter and José Mourinho’s Roma, but he has failed to increase his tally.

The 31-year-old’s goal at the San Siro was his first from open play in a month and a half after his net against Cagliari on September 15, and it also allowed the striker to reach 100 goals and assists combined in Serie A.