Romelu Lukaku has praise for Lorenzo Pellegrini and notes the victory over Napoli is the kind of game they need to win ‘if your objective is to finish fourth, or higher.’
It was a chaotic match at the Stadio Olimpico that referee Andrea Colombo seemed to lose control of, with 13 cards and two red.
Both dismissals were for Napoli players, Matteo Politano for a reaction foul on Nicola Zalewski and Victor Osimhen for two bookable offences.
“It was a complicated match, but we played with maturity, experience and at times quality too. I think we deserved it above all for the second half,” Lukaku told DAZN.
Lorenzo Pellegrini opened the scoring on the half-volley before Lukaku added a second on the counter-attack.
“Pellegrini is a player who really helps the team, has helped me a lot since I came to Roma, so I am very happy for him to get the goal. He’s a great professional.”
Roma leapfrog Napoli to go into sixth place, but above all this is the first time they have managed to beat one of the ‘big’ rivals in a head-to-head after 13 attempts.
“It is important to win these games if your objective is to finish fourth, or higher.”
There is another crunch fixture coming up on December 30, when Roma visit Juventus in Turin.
Then 2024 will also start strong with a home match against Atalanta on January 7 and a trip to San Siro with Milan on January 14.