Romelu Lukaku made positive that Napoli would keep three factors behind Serie A leaders Inter Milan with a purpose and two assists in Monday’s 3-0 win over struggling Empoli.
Belgium striker Lukaku has scored 12 instances and arrange 10 extra in Italy’s high flight this season and has been key to Napoli’s battle with reigning champions Inter for the league title.
The 31-year-old has developed his recreation below coach Antonio Conte and is having as a lot of an affect together with his distribution as he’s together with his goalscoring, with Scott McTominay being the beneficiary on Monday.
McTominay ratted in Napoli’s different two objectives, taking his tally to eight in his debut Serie A season after being brilliantly served by Lukaku, who arrived final summer time to switch banished star Victor Osimhen, and has surpassed expectations.
“Romelu’s obviously a great teammate. He’s very demanding, he demands a lot from all the team, from myself to score more, to create more opportunities for him to score as well,” mentioned McTominay to DAZN.
“He’s got two assists and one goal, he’s obviously an amazing player with an incredible career and we’re so happy to have Rom.”
Scotland worldwide McTominay drilled dwelling Napoli’s opener from simply outdoors the world within the 18th minute after Lukaku used his power and management to carry up the ball and slip within the marauding midfielder.
Empoli, who sit second-from-bottom and have did not win in 17 matches, have been within the match and harmful till Lukaku doubled the hosts’ lead within the 56th minute, amassing Mathias Olivera’s cross and smashing in together with his left foot.
Five minutes later and Lukaku confirmed a extra delicate contact when organising McTominay for his brace, floating over an ideal inswinging cross which his former Manchester United teammate confidently headed dwelling.
McTominay almost had a hat-trick within the 66th minute when, after once more being laid on by Lukaku, he rolled a low shot towards the submit when one-on-one with Empoli goalkeeper Devis Vasquez.
Monday’s win retains the pressure up on Inter who face Bayern Munich within the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final after which journey to high-flying Bologna subsequent weekend earlier than dealing with native rivals AC Milan within the Italian Cup semi-finals.
Napoli in the meantime haven’t any commitments apart from attempting to win a second Scudetto in three seasons and face only one group from the highest half of the desk — tenth positioned Torino — between now and the tip of the season.
Published – April 16, 2025 01:09 am IST
