Not Just Any Match – Romelu Lukaku Battles With Past Demons In Napoli Vs Inter Milan Serie A Title Showdown | OneFootball

Romelu Lukaku will once again face down his past demons in today’s Serie A clash between Napoli and Inter Milan.

This is highlighted in today’s print edition of Rome-based newspaper Corriere dello Sport, via FCInterNews.

It would be an understatement to say that there is history between Romelu Lukaku and Inter Milan.

The Belgian joined Inter in the summer of 2019 from Manchester United.

Lukaku spent two very successful seasons with the Nerazzurri. He powered the team to a second place Serie A finish and Europa League final. Then, he was Inter’s key man as they won the title in the 2020-21 campaign.

Inter had paid a massive fee to sign Lukaku. But they sold him for a much bigger one to Chelsea in the summer of 2021.

Lukaku’s form at Stamford Bridge was a shadow of his Inter exploits, however.

So much so that the former Everton striker pushed for a return to the Nerazzurri in the summer of 2022. Just one year after he’d left.

Romelu Lukaku Faces Down Past Demons In Napoli Vs Inter Milan Clash

Lukaku’s second spell at Inter was also an underwhelming one, however. Injuries in particular restricted his impact, although he did show glimpses of his best.

The Nerazzurri nevertheless made an effort to sign Lukaku back on a permanent basis in the summer of 2023.

MILAN, ITALY – OCTOBER 26: Romelu Lukaku of FC Internazionale Romelu Lukaku of FC Internazionale acknowledges fans after the final whistle of the UEFA Champions League group C match between FC Internazionale and Viktoria Plzen at San Siro Stadium on October 26, 2022 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

But that all came to a screeching halt when Inter learned that Lukaku had also been in negotiations with AC Milan and, in particular, Juventus.

The Nerazzurri pulled the plug on the move for Lukaku abruptly.

That transfer saga also saw Lukaku alienate his former Inter teammates. It devolved into one of the soap operas of the summer.

In the end, Lukaku made the switch to Roma on loan that summer. There was a feel of a half-baked compromise to that move, however.

Last summer, though, Romelu Lukaku finally left Chelsea for good. He reunited with his old Nerazzurri coach Antonio Conte at Napoli.

And the 31-year-old has been a key player for the Partenopei in their title challenge.

Lukaku’s form has tailed off in recent weeks however. He has gone three matches without a goal.

Moreover, Inter may be the last opponent the Belgian would want to meet.

Lukaku has faced the Nerazzurri three times. He’s failed to find the back of the net, and Francesco Acerbi has effectively nullified him on three occasions.

Whether this has been because the pressure – and at the San Siro, the boos and jeers – have gotten to Lukaku is not clear.

But one thing that’s certain is that the former Inter striker will have to confront his past yet again.