Italian newspaper reveals Lukaku’s ‘real problem’ after Roma loss to Inter | OneFootball

Italian sports papers blame Roma striker Romelu Lukaku following a 4-2 loss to Inter on Saturday: ‘He fell short again.’

The Belgian striker didn’t only fail to score in Roma’s home defeat to Inter on Saturday, the first one in the Daniele De Rossi era, but also wasted a couple of goal-scoring opportunities, including one in the second half, that was jokingly highlighted by Inter and Lukaku’s replacement Marcus Thuram.

Sunday’s printed edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport, on page eight, highlights how Lukaku ‘fell short again’ at the Stadio Olimpico even if De Rossi defended the Chelsea loanee after the final whistle.

Both Corriere dello Sport and Gazzetta noted that Thuram ‘won the battle’ with Lukaku given that the French striker scored once and forced Angelino to an own goal in the first half.

‘In the end, Lukaku once again flopped in a big match,’ wrote Gazzetta journalist Andrea Pugliese.

‘The real problem is that the Belgian is the worst player on the pitch in almost every key game. It had already happened in two derbies against Lazio, in the reverse fixture against Inter, against Juventus and Milan. He only left his mark with Fiorentina and Napoli in meetings with top sides this term. Not enough for a striker like him.’

Lukaku is on loan at Roma from Chelsea, but the Giallorossi do not have an option to make his move permanent in the summer.

Despite his poor performances in big games, the 30-year-old has scored 15 goals in 29 appearances across all competitions with Roma this season.