Lukaku quotes Kobe Bryant on Napoli Scudetto and has hope for Inter

May 4, 2025 - 02:00

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Lukaku quotes Kobe Bryant on Napoli Scudetto and has hope for Inter

Romelu Lukaku quotes Kobe Bryant when talking about Napoli’s Scudetto chances, jokes about the size of his feet ruining VAR calls, and hopes Inter ‘go as far as possible in the Champions League.’

The Partenopei needed a Giacomo Raspadori free kick to break down Lecce and earn a 1-0 victory at the Stadio Via del Mare this evening, which guarantees their three-point advantage over Inter at the top of the Serie A table.

It means they need only seven points from the remaining three rounds to be sure of the title, regardless of other results.

“As Kobe Bryant said, the job’s not finished yet,” Lukaku told DAZN with a nod to the basketball legend.

“There are three games to go and we have to live in the present. We have an advantage of three points, but it’s not over until it’s over.”

Lukaku enjoys new Napoli tactic

LECCE, ITALY - MAY 03: Giacomo Raspadori of Napoli celebrates with their teammates after scoring his team's opening goal during the Serie A match between Lecce and Napoli at Stadio Via del Mare on May 03, 2025 in Lecce, Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images) — LECCE, ITALY – MAY 03: Giacomo Raspadori of Napoli celebrates with their teammates after scoring his team’s opening goal during the Serie A match between Lecce and Napoli at Stadio Via del Mare on May 03, 2025 in Lecce, Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images)

Napoli switched to a 4-4-2 formation in the absence of Juan Jesus, Alessandro Buongiorno and David Neres, partnering Lukaku with Raspadori, thanks also to the versatility of Scott McTominay in midfield.

“If we are all in the right positions, then we can always create something. We could’ve scored earlier, on our exchange, and we all make runs forward, which causes problems for our opponents. We also know that we’re always ready to give something more to help the defence.”

Lukaku had the ball in the back of the net during the opening minutes, but it was disallowed due to offside when VAR showed half his boot was poking out.

“This is VAR, it’s modern football and we have to live with it,” said the Belgian. “I’ve got big feet, so I think that made the difference…”

Lukaku has message for Inter

BARCELONA, SPAIN - APRIL 30: Denzel Dumfries of FC Internazionale celebrates scoring his team's third goal with teammates during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Semi Final First Leg match between FC Barcelona and FC Internazionale Milano at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on April 30, 2025 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) — BARCELONA, SPAIN – APRIL 30: Denzel Dumfries of FC Internazionale celebrates scoring his team’s third goal with teammates during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Semi Final First Leg match between FC Barcelona and FC Internazionale Milano at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on April 30, 2025 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

While Inter are out of the Coppa Italia and seem to have lost sight of the Scudetto too, they are still in for the Champions League after a thrilling 3-3 semi-final draw away to Barcelona.

The second leg is on Tuesday at San Siro, so does Lukaku have a message for his former club?

“I hope Inter go as far as possible in the Champions League, for the good of Italian football.”