Fenerbahçe coach promises special programme after Lukaku’s Turkey goal

In the bustling atmosphere of the Istanbul stadium, Romelu Lukaku found the net against Turkey, the nation of his club Fenerbahçe. The Football world noted the striker’s celebration before the Fenerbahçe coach rang him up, a call described as positive by the club’s media team.

Coach promises special programme

Ismaïl Kartal, the Fenerbahçe manager, phoned Lukaku to confirm that a “special programme” awaits his return to Turkey. The plan aims to bring the striker back to full fitness and to see him at 100 percent for the club’s future matches. Kartal told the player he will “recover his optimal form in no time”.

Media coverage and upcoming France match

The BELGA PHOTO by VIRGINIE LEFOUR captured the moment of Lukaku’s celebration, accompanying the headline “Sports Football Diables Rouges”. Despite the goal, the article notes that Lukaku is unlikely to start against France on Monday evening, a match that will see the Diables Rouges face the French side.

Lukaku reflected on the goal, saying, “They turned too much to the past. They could have handled it differently, but I will talk about it soon with the club. I return to Fenerbahçe to fight for my place. I am happy they saw today that I am in shape. I hope to return with a different status.” The striker, now on his 94th appearance for Belgium, added that the strike should boost his confidence after not having scored in Istanbul before.

Mark Van Bommel, commenting on Lukaku’s eight appearances for Fenerbahçe, said the striker has not yet had a large influence on the game and needs more minutes. “I was happy to see him score against Turkey but in the game it wasn’t top, top yet. He knows he must get playing time at Fenerbahçe and then he will be ready for the November window,” Van Bommel explained.

The combined messages from Kartal and Van Bommel suggest a clear pathway for Lukaku to re‑establish himself at Fenerbahçe and to regain a prominent role with the Diables Rouges.