MILAN (AP) — Romelu Lukaku scored his first goal of the season with the final kick of the game on Saturday, ending Napoli’s winless streak.
Lukaku has only played 41 minutes this season after an injury. Severe thigh injury before seasonHe came on in the sixth minute of stoppage time to help Napoli win 2-1 against bottom club Hellas Verona.
When the final whistle rang seconds later, he appeared to be in tears. His last goal came on May 23rd, and what followed was a rough few months. His father died suddenly in September at the age of 58, shortly after tearing his thigh.
“On a personal level, football gives me a lot. Football has given me everything, but losing my father, just like I lost my father, weighs on me every day,” Lukaku told DAZN as he struggled to hold back tears. “But it is what it is and I will continue for my daughters, my brother and for Napoli, which has given me so much.
“Because I was dead before I arrived in Napoli. We achieved great things last year, but this year is a little difficult for us, but we have to look forward and do everything to finish as high as possible.”
It was Napoli’s first win in four official games. The defending Serie A champions remained third in the league, 14 points behind leaders Inter Milan, after the Nerazzurri defeated Genoa 2-0.
Verona remained safe with nine more points.
Napoli got off to a great start and took the lead less than two minutes later with Rasmus Heilund’s looping header from 12 meters out.
However, Hoylund also contributed to the equalizer in the 65th minute. He tried to clear Verona’s corner kick, but it hit Jean-Daniel Akpa Akpro and his shot was deflected by Hojlund. The goal was credited to Akpa Akpuro as his first shot was on target.
Verona almost sealed the win in stoppage time, but Kieron Bowie was unable to keep his shot on target as Napoli goalkeeper Alex Merrett fluttered aimlessly at the cross.
And it was Napoli who snatched the victory instead. The corner kick was played short and Giovane eventually crossed for fellow substitute Lukaku to score his first goal from close range.
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Federico Dimarco started and finished the game with the opening goal in the 31st minute. Dimarco found Henrikh Mkhitaryan, ran into the box, received a lofted return pass and fired a volley from an impossible angle.
In the 70th minute, Hakan Calhanoglu converted a spot kick into the bottom right corner after Genoa midfielder Alexandro Amorim was penalized for handball.
Second-placed AC Milan visit Cremonese on Sunday, and next weekend Milan will host Inter in a city derby.
Earlier, Como came from behind to beat relegation-threatened Lecce 3-1.
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