Lukaku returns to Cagliari with impressive record after racism incident

Romelu Lukaku is likely to make his first start on Sunday evening when Napoli face Cagliari at the Unipol Domus, where the Belgian was unfortunately subjected to racist abuse from the stands in 2019.

The Belgian international was greeted with monkey chants by fans when he lined up for Inter's penalty shootout against Cagliari shortly before the end of the 2019/20 season. In the years that followed, similar incidents occurred at several other pitches.

Despite the abuse Lukaku has had to endure, he has responded with an impressive away record against Cagliari, scoring a goal in each of his last three visits.

Lukaku has scored four goals in his last three away games against Cagliari, netting a brace in Roma's 4-1 win last season and also scoring in his last two away games with Inter in Sardinia in 2020–21 and 2019–20.

The 30-year-old is expected to make his first start for the Partenopei on Sunday evening after scoring his first goal for Napoli as a substitute in a 2-1 win over Parma on August 31, just before the international break.

He is expected to be the only change to Antonio Conte's lineup, but official lineups will be confirmed at around 4:30pm BST.