Roma director Tiago Pinto explains why Romelu Lukaku has made such an immediate impact, aided by his rapport with Jose Mourinho, as he starts again today in the Europa League against Servette.
It kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT).
“Europe is an important competition for the history of Roma. We have done well in recent seasons, but we have to take it one game at a time,” Tiago Pinto told Sky Sport Italia.
Paulo Dybala is rested, so Andrea Belotti partners Lukaku upfront with Stephan El Shaarawy and Zeki Celik taking the wing-back roles.
It is the sixth consecutive start for Lukaku, who arrived in the final days of the transfer window on loan from Chelsea.
“Romelu settled in well and got to know the team very quickly. Perhaps already knowing Mourinho helped him in that process and he seems very happy here. He scored in practically every game and I hope he can score today too.”
They might’ve struggled in Serie A, but won the Europa League opener away to Sheriff Tiraspol and want to consolidate their group leadership against Servette.
After Lazio boss Maurizio Sarri complained about the ‘insane’ fixture list, Tiago Pinto joins his Eternal City rival in warning the current situation cannot continue for the health and safety of the players.
“I have an unusual opinion, because we in football need to sit down around a table and discuss the fixture list. It is no coincidence that in every league, every team has far more injuries than usual, and when you play on a Thursday and Sunday, it becomes even more complicated.
“Winning helps us to recharge the batteries and prepare the next match better. It is certainly more difficult to play on Thursday than those who are on Tuesday or Wednesday.”