Nainggolan: ‘Roma is my family. Lukaku? He won’t mind the hostile climate’

Former Inter and Roma midfielder Radja Nainggolan doesn’t believe the return to the San Siro will bother Romelu Lukaku. The Belgian is set to return to the Giuseppe Meazza stadium for the first time since leaving the Nerazzurri in controversial circumstances this summer. Speaking about a potentially huge match between his former side, Nainggolan explained why he doesn’t expect Lukaku to be fazed by the potentially hostile reception from the Inter faithful:

“I had a good time at Inter, but Roma was a family to me. I’m not complaining about my experience at Inter, but I had some problems compared to how I was at Roma. The Nerazzurri is a great club, where I was able to meet many nice people. The overall memory is positive’.

Roma, however, is something else.

“At Roma I was a wonder, we had wonderful seasons with very strong teams. For me it was like a family and every time I feel at home.”

[…]

There has been a lot of talk for days about Lukaku, who will not be well received by Inter fans.

“There are dynamics that nobody knows, one day Romelu will tell them. The important thing is that he is well and that he is loved by the Roma fans. He is a player who gives his all if he feels pampered, in fact he is scoring repeatedly because the Roma fans make him feel special. He didn’t leave well with Inter, but I think there will be no problem for him to play in a hostile climate.”

Is not having been coached by Mourinho a regret?

“I’ve had many strong coaches, I try to take the best from everyone. Mou is a great coach and this is shown by what he has won during his career, I don’t know how he works, I have some curiosity but there hasn’t been a chance to work together.”

Not even recently?

‘No calls from Trigoria’.