Romelu Lukaku’s difficult spell at Napoli hit a new low as fans at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona loudly jeered the Belgian striker when he was substituted in the 92nd minute of their 1-0 defeat to Lazio.
The loss, coming just days after Napoli’s Coppa Italia exit to the same opponents, saw Antonio Conte’s side relinquish top spot in Serie A to Atalanta. Inter, Fiorentina and Lazio are now just one point behind, with the Nerazzurri and Viola still to play their postponed head-to-head clash.
Calciomercato report how Lukaku’s performance epitomized Napoli’s attacking woes. The striker managed just 14 touches throughout the match, losing possession four times and failing to register a single shot on target. His inability to impact the game was highlighted by Conte’s decision to replace him with Giovanni Simeone as Napoli chased an equalizer in stoppage time.
The jeers from the home crowd reflect growing frustration with Lukaku’s form since his high-profile summer move. In 14 appearances across Serie A and the Coppa Italia, he has scored just five league goals. His strike rate of one goal every three games falls well short of expectations for a player brought in to replace Victor Osimhen and spearhead a title challenge.
Conte refrained from directly criticizing Lukaku after the match, but pointedly remarked that he expects his most talented players to make the difference in key moments. This indirect rebuke has led to speculation that the manager may be considering changes, with Simeone pushing for a starting berth.
As Napoli prepare to face Udinese in their next league fixture, Conte has a decision to make. Giving Simeone an opportunity could serve as a wake-up call to Lukaku, whose status as an automatic starter is no longer guaranteed. For a player hailed as a potential Scudetto-winning signing upon his arrival, Lukaku now faces a fight to win back the faith of both his manager and the Napoli faithful.
