Immobile inspired by ‘incredible emotion’ of Lazio’s CL return
ROME — Ciro Immobile scored early against his former club Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday as Lazio marked its return to the Champions League after a 13-year absence with a 3-1 Group F win.
Italy’s Immobile beat Marwin Hitz in the Dortmund goal after six minutes in Rome, with a deflection off the German side’s keeper responsible for the host’s second goal.
Norway star Erling Braut Haaland pulled a goal back after 71 minutes but Immobile set up JeanDaniel Akpa-Akpro for the third five minutes later in front of a crowd of 1,000 at Stadio Olimpico, where admittance was limited due to the coronavirus pandemic.
It was a welcome boost for Simone Inzaghi’s side which now leads a group which also includes Zenit Saint Petersburg and Club Brugge.
“It was an incredible emotion to bring this club and this shirt back to the Champions League,” said Immobile, last season’s Serie A top scorer with 36 goals.
Lazio has experienced a stuttering start to its league season with just one win in four games, and a 3-0 defeat to Sampdoria last weekend.
“There was an extra flavor and we are satisfied because the match was played to perfection,” said Immobile.
“We met a strong team, it was a difficult match but we needed a game like this to give us a psychological boost after the game against Sampdoria, to be able to have our say among the great in Europe and also in the league.”
Immobile and Joaquin Correa started up front with Hitz replacing Roman Buerki in the Dortmund goal and Haaland leading the Bundesliga outfit’s attack.
Luiz Felipe returned for Lazio after a month out with an ankle problem, with Emre Can suspended for the away side.
Lazio pounced on its first chance with Thomas Meunier losing the ball to Lucas Leiva who crossed for Correa to serve up Immobile for his fifth Champions League goal and first since playing for Dortmund in December 2014.
Thomas Strakosha stuck out his leg to block Raphael Guerreiro in Dortmund’s first chance after 21 minutes.
But Inzaghi’s men doubled their lead in the 23rd minute when Luis Alberto’s corner was deflected in off Hitz’s head.
Haaland revived hopes of a German fightback, only for Luis Alberto to release Immobile, who then teed up Akpa Akpro for the third goal.
“We didn’t have patience, we were frantic. We played badly and never managed the ball,” said Dortmund coach Lucien Favre.
‘Worst signing’
For Immobile, who has been under fire for his recent performances with the Italian national team, the victory was sweet, even more so as it was against a team he had an unsuccessful spell with back in 2014.
“Did they say I was Dortmund’s worst signing? I arrived at Dortmund at the wrong time, during a generational change,” said the 30-year-old Immobile.
“There were some difficulties, but I don’t want to say anything about this. I know when I deserve praise or criticism.
“I missed a goal tonight, I will miss more, but I hope to score many more than I miss for Lazio and the national side.”