The analysts of ESPN think that Feyenoord will have a difficult time with Romelu Lukaku on Thursday evening. The Belgian will take on Arne Slot's team with AS Roma from 6:45 PM and provides nice statistics in a European context.

Lukaku will mainly have to deal with Dávid Hancko and Thomas Beelen on Thursday evening. The latter is the replacement for the unfit Gernot Trauner. “I think Beelen will have more trouble with him than Hancko,” said Marciano Vink.

“You just can't get to it. He can put balls back on fellow players, but can also spin well away from his opponent. Against these types of players it is best to stand an arm's length away and watch what he does.”

Vink thinks he knows how to keep Lukaku in check. “If he takes the shot and wants to turn away, you are on top of it. If he takes the shot, plays and moves, you have to keep an eye on him as a defender.”

“I think Brobbey often looks at him,” says presenter Jan Joost van Gangelen. “They are similar players,” Vink agrees. “In many ways they have a body that you say 'you' to.”

Kenneth Perez is hopeful. “Fortunately, Beelen is just as fast,” said the Danish analyst. “He won't be beaten on speed. But he shouldn't get too carried away. He used to be terribly fast, but at this age I don't think he's very explosive.”

Of the last seventeen Europa League games that Lukaku played, he was only unsuccessful in one. “I played against him when he was sixteen, at Anderlecht,” Perez said. “I really thought it was that guy from The Green Mile. So big. You can see in his head now that he's a little older, but otherwise he's still like he was when he was sixteen.”

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