Against Russia, Romelu Lukaku was alert as he picked up the ball from 12 yards and burying it into the corner, wheeled away to the cameras: “Chris, Chris, I love you.”
The Belgium striker’s first goal at Euro 2020 came just hours after Christian Eriksen‘s collapse during Denmark’s match against Finland and he kicked off a string of tributes to his Inter Milan teammate.
With Roberto Martinez’s side facing the Danes on Thursday evening in Parken, Lukaku revealed they are planning a further gesture in the 10th minute as a nod to Eriksen’s international shirt number.
“After 10 minutes of the match we will put the ball in touch to applaud,” Lukaku said.
“Several players from our country have played with him but we will be there to win and that is the most important.”
Lukaku has played alongside Eriksen at Inter Milan since January 2020, when the playmaker signed for the Serie A club from Tottenham Hotspur.
The midfielder has thanked those who have sent “sweet and amazing messages from around the world” in a message from his hospital bed released by the Danish Football Association (DBU).
In the days since his collapse, Denmark have accused Uefa of pressuring them into completing the second half of their match against Finland, which they lost 1-0, on the same day.
Manager Kasper Hjulmand said: “With corona cases it’s possible to postpone a game for 48 hours. But with cardiac arrest, apparently it’s not. And I think that’s wrong.
“You don’t necessarily find good leadership in the protocols. Good leadership can sometimes be to lead with compassion.”
More from i on Euro 2020
- In praise of Emma Hayes, the best pundit at Euro 2020 so far
- Eriksen collapse has thrown a spotlight on football’s relentless thirst for more
- ‘Yorkshire Pirlo’ showing he has perfect blend of silk and steel to be a star
- Where Schick’s strike against Scotland ranks among greatest Euros goals
- How to watch every Euro 2020 match on TV and online in the UK
from Football – inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/2SGV2xB
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