Romelu Lukaku has been cautioned by Inter CEO Giuseppe Marotta that he needs to get back in the “right condition” following his struggles with Belgium at the 2022 World Cup.
After coming on against Croatia in the second half of their pivotal World Cup group-stage match, the Belgian striker missed numerous opportunities, ensuring that the Red Devils were eliminated. The game ultimately ended in a 0-0 draw.
Despite the striker’s obvious rustiness following his return from an injury that had kept him out of action for the majority of the first half of the season with Inter, Marotta has confidence in the Chelsea loanee to regain his spark in the final third.
Marotta’s statement
The Inter CEO acknowledged that Lukaku must first regain top physical condition, as he stated to Sky Italia: “Lukaku loves Inter and we’ve learned it by spending many days with him. We expect something important, he is dealing with a muscle issue, but now he has fully recovered and needs to get back in shape. He must find the right condition.”
Lukaku will be a different player in the new year, Inter president Steven Zhang said in agreement with Marotta, adding: “It’s football and during games, there are ups and downs. We are confident and sure that he is working hard. He needs no pressure, we wait and we are sure he will give an amazing performance in the second half of the season.”
When Inter return to competitive play against Napoli in Serie A on January 4, Lukaku will be hoping to put the horrors of the World Cup behind him and get back to full strength.