Romelu Lukaku explains how Roma have changed with Daniele De Rossi, how he studied Brighton to make the most of their errors and doesn’t want to ‘create controversy’ for Chelsea.
It went better than the Giallorossi could ever have hoped for, emerging with a 4-0 demolition of Premier League outfit Brighton and Hove Albion at the Stadio Olimpico.
Paulo Dybala and Lukaku were sent clear by Leandro Paredes passes, then Gianluca Mancini and Bryan Cristante rounded out the scoreline by getting on the end of crosses at the far post.
“It was a good performance. Brighton play good football and always try to pierce the opposition defence with through balls, but we worked really well and could’ve had more goals,” Lukaku told Sky Sport Italia.
“However, it’s never over against the English sides, so we need to go to Brighton and play even better than we did today.”
Lukaku pounced on a Lewis Dunk howler from the long Leandro Paredes pass to go clear on goal. Did he think the defender would make that mistake?
“Yes, I had hoped he would let it bounce and then I’d use my strength to get there first, but instead he got the first touch wrong. You must always believe in these errors. I analysed their goalkeeper before the game, so I knew what to do there as well.”
Lukaku now has 298 goals at club level in his career and is one of several players enjoying life under Daniele De Rossi after the Jose Mourinho era.
“The coach gives me more freedom in midfield and to push up. I have to attack the space, whereas before I was asked to hold the ball up.
“It is the first time I am being used as the lone centre-forward in Italy, but I’m settling well and hope we can continue improving to go far in Serie A and the Europa League.”
Roma reached the Europa League Final last season, so do they think that it can go one better this time around?
“Yes, this is what big clubs think about.”
It will always be special for Lukaku to score against a Premier League club, considering his struggles at Chelsea to prove himself. He was welcomed to Roma as a hero and it was what he needed for his confidence.
“It was a different experience, but as soon as I arrived, I saw how much the fans love this team. I also called Radja Nainggolan and he helped prepare me for how I ought to behave.
“Mourinho helped me and now De Rossi is too. I try to give my best for Roma, many people don’t know what my situation was, so I thank Roma.”
Lukaku is on loan from Chelsea, so he was asked if he would like to remain at the Stadio Olimpico next season.
“I don’t want to cause controversy in England, I have to be intelligent about this,” he laughed.
After all, it was an interview with Sky Sport Italia just months into his Chelsea tenure that wreaked havoc when he confessed to regretting the Inter exit.
“De Rossi talks about having new objectives every day and give your best to hit those targets. Every training session is a test and I like that, because I think great players do have to be stimulated.
“He said we have the objective of getting into the top four in Serie A and also progressing in Europe, so we can never let our foot off the gas.”