Jose Mourinho hails Romelu Lukaku after dramatic Lecce win: “He’s a boy with a big heart”

Roma boss Jose Mourinho has hailed striker Romelu Lukaku after the Giallorossi’s dramatic 2-1 win over Lecce.

For a while, it seemed as if Roma would be doomed to a defeat after Pontus Almqvist had found the back of the net for Lecce. Lukaku missed a penalty, to pile on fears that things would not go Roma’s way.

But summer signing Sardar Azmoun drew level in the first minute of stoppage time and Lukaku scored a goal of his own three minutes later to redeem himself, as the Belgian shed some tears at full time in front of a delirious Olimpico crowd.

Mourinho, who has been very positive about Lukaku in recent weeks, had some more praise about the 30-year-old and he hailed him as someone with a big heart and that he is a very emotional character. 

He told DAZN (via TMW): “The first penalty missed in Italy, the second or third with me. Only those who take the penalty miss a penalty, I’m never sad with those who miss the penalty. Dybala didn’t have confidence, he didn’t want to kick from a set piece due to his ligament, but Lukaku is an emotional boy who I know better than anyone after having coached him in three different teams and when he makes a mistake afterwards his heart cries and he suffers.

“Having the chance in the last minute to score the winning goal couldn’t have been better and now he can sleep a little better and he is a boy with a big heart, very sensitive and emotional. When he misses the penalty after a minute his heart cries, his soul cries.”

Lukaku has impressed in his stint at Roma so far, having scored six times in the Serie A and thrice in the Europa League.

Kaustubh Pandey | GIFN