Felice Mazzù greets Lukebakio, Mark van Bommel criticises him

Yesterday, under the eyes of Felice Mazzù, Benfica winger Dodi Lukebakio again surprised the Italian Squadra with his inside dribble followed by a curled left‑foot shot, while Mark van Bommel, speaking on the set of Complètement Foot, reminded that the player did not work enough defensively.

A sequence that surprises Italy

Dodi Lukebakio performed his favourite sequence against Italy: an inside dribble followed by a curled left‑foot shot into the opposite small net. The Squadra had seen nothing coming.

The same profile had already shone in March, during a friendly match against the United States, where he scored two sensational left‑foot strikes. This display reminded of the danger of his favourite sequence.

Yesterday, the Benfica winger returned as a supersub against Italy and again found the net, under the gaze of Felice Mazzù. The goal confirmed the effectiveness of his characteristic move.

Mazzù and van Bommel: praise and criticism

Felice Mazzù, who was Lukebakio’s coach at Charleroi during the 2017/2018 season, saw him loaned to Mambourg by Anderlecht. This period marked the start of his rise.

Mark van Bommel praises a player and flags Belgium's shortcomings

The Zebras eventually transferred the player in January for €2.60 million. The following summer, they sold him to Watford for double that amount.

On the set of Complètement Foot, Mazzù said that “the opponent doesn’t know that Dodi does Dodi”, highlighting his taste for inside penetrations and shots to the opposite side.

Lukebakio replied: “He’s the type of player you tell: go ahead, play, eliminate. If you miss, it happens, keep trying until you succeed.”

The Red Devils assert themselves in Italy, a brilliant start for van Bommel

Mark van Bommel, during his speech “My compliments, guys”, reminded that the player “did not work enough defensively and was guilty of many ball losses”. Felice Mazzù acknowledged that the profile had evolved a lot since their shared period in the Black Country.

Today, Eupen’s coach, Felice Mazzù, concludes with a dreamy sigh: “How I would love to have him in my team today.”