It certainly took a long time for Big Rom to unlock his Giallorossi counter: 82 minutes. But the Lukaku effect was not long in coming to give that necessary boost to Roma, who were struggling to shine before the international break (1 point out of 9). The Belgian is also directly or indirectly involved in two of the other six goals.
In the handball that led to the penalty in the first minute, the Red Devil was behind the offending defender, addressing a cross from Kristensen (1-0). Then it is he who gives the ball 3-0 for Grassi’s own goal (35th). For the rest, Renato Sanches left with a splendid diving header (8th: 2-0), Paulo Dybala achieved a magnificent solo (55th: 4-0) and Cristante sent a cannonball (79th: 5-0).
Moments after this fifth goal, Romelu Lukaku was also able to join the celebration. El Diablo inherited a perfect ball from Belotti in the large rectangle to ideally cross his shot (81st). A beautiful ovation from the Olympic Stadium followed his exit, just before Gianluca Mancini culminated this historic evening with a seventh rose (86th: 7-0).
In their history, Roma have only done better four times, with big scores recorded between the 30s and 60s. On the other hand, it had been seventeen years – since November 2006 – since the Giallorossi had last won a match with such a score. .
The Lukaku effect, really? The former Inter striker, who is expected to be both a psychological and footballing catalyst, has made it possible, since his first start, to truly launch the season for Roma, who until now had not won a single game.
