Lazio left-back Jordan Lukaku is keen to impress new coach Maurizio Sarri this summer.
Speaking in an interview with Italian newspaper Il Messaggero (via LazioNews24) earlier today, the 26-year-old Belgian full-back first discussed his arrival in Rome back in 2016.
When I landed in Rome in 2016, the fans said they had taken the wrong Lukaku because I was coming from a European Championship in which I had not played well.
Unfortunately, injuries affected me, now I’m fine, but I would have been thrilled to be with my big brother and my national team in the quarter-finals.
He looked ahead to Belgian’s Euro 2020 quarter-finals clash against Italy, which will take place on Friday this week.
Belgium is the favourite, but nothing is taken for granted in this European Championship. What happened to France will have to serve as a lesson.
A lot for us will depend on the presence of De Bruyne and Hazard. They are in doubt and, without them, our offensive game will suffer a lot.
The Lazio left-back spoke about his brother, Inter star Romelu Lukaku.
I’ve heard from my brother and he’s full of energy. He doesn’t feel the pressure, he proved it with Inter by winning the Scudetto.
Between a friend and blood, I always choose family without any doubt.
Both Immobile and Romelu are beasts in front of goal, they don’t miss a shot. The numbers and the goals say it all.
Lukaku touched on his relationship with his brother.
We take sides against each other even when we play. He even studies my performances in detail on Wyscout and corrects every mistake.
When we played together at Anderlecht, he even did it on the pitch, live.
He touched on Italy’s progress so far in this summer’s European Championship.
I was impressed by the group. The Azzurri won all their matches with disarming ease. They play well and the defense always holds up.
I hope not, but they have all the cards in order to win. In a knockout game, it’s the moments that change the outcome, more than individual strength.
Finally, Lukaku discussed his future with Lazio and the new coach Maurizio Sarri.
I haven’t spoken to Sarri yet, but I’d love to work with him. He would make me grow and I think I can be useful. In the meantime, I’ll be back for sure.
Lazio called me and told me to come to Formello on 10 July. Then I’ll leave for Auronzo and maybe I’ll convince the coach.
The 26-year-old Lukaku, who is contracted to the Roman club until 2022, made 18 league appearances this season whilst on loan with Antwerp, for a total of 1333 minutes. In that time, he provided two assists, being a consistent member of the squad.
Lukaku has only made 85 appearances for Lazio since signing for the club in the summer of 2016.
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