Romelu Lukaku and Antonio Conte at Napoli: A player-manager relationship like no other

Since being appointed as the coach for Napoli in the summer, former Inter boss Antonio Conte made it very clear that he was desperate to bring in Belgian forward Romelu Lukaku as the successor for Victor Osihmen up-top, after the pair shared two successful seasons together at the Nerazzurri.

Despite the 31-year-old having an underwhelming season with Roma last year whilst on loan from Chelsea, the clinical goal-scorer made his mark on the Partenopei since beginning life in Naples, continuing where he left off with Conte at Inter after having won the scudetto in the 2020-21 campaign, in which he snatched 24 goals and eleven assists in 36 Serie A appearances.

Since joining coach Antonio Conte’s Napoli, Lukaku found his ground breaking form as he seized a goal on his debut after coming on in the 62nd minute, finding the back of the net with a roaring header in order to inspire a late 2-1 comeback win against Parna at the Stadio Diego Maradona.

However, it was until the return from the international break against Cagliari in which we truly witnessed the brilliance of Conte and Lukaku together.

The Belgian international was stellar against the Rossoblu as his pace and vertical movements allow Napoli to pose a threat when moving on the counter. His physicality and intelligent movements allow Lukaku not only to be the man to look for in difficult situations, but also the man that can inspire great results, as highlighted by La Gazzetta dello Sport.

The former Chelsea, Inter and Roma man racked up two assists and a goal, sending Khvicha Kvrataskhelia on the break with a sublime through-ball and tucking the back of the net with ease.

Lukaku has amassed two assists and a goal in the same match three times in his entire career, two of the matches were which Antonio Conte was at the helm of the club.

The Belgian hit-man is continuously proving Conte right, as he extended their splendid scoring record together to 66 goals in 97 games-played whilst at the same club, as per Sky Sport, demonstrating that he has all the necessary tools to be a world-class number nine under the Italian tactician.

With Napoli set to face Juventus Saturday afternoon, Conte hopes Lukaku can bring his spectacular form to the match and serve as the difference maker once more in such a critical match in the Serie A title race.

Julian Faustini Ι GIFN