King Ciro LazioaceImmobile returns tacklespast demons onDortmundreturn
CIRO IMMOBILE (pix) returns to the scene of one of his unhappiest spells as a player when Lazio take on the goal ace’s former club Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League tomorrow (4am Malaysian time).
Dortmund were Italy forward Immobile’s first club outside of his home country and that disappointing time in the Bundesliga was followed by a similarly unsuccessful six months at Sevilla, before returning to Serie A.
Lazio are just one point behind their German hosts who lead Group F with two games to play, and four ahead of third-placed Club Brugge.
The Italians are well-positioned to advance to the last 16 in their return to the Champions League after a 13-year absence.
Last season’s European “Golden Shoe” winner thanks to his 36 league goals in Italy, Immobile’s strikes powered Lazio to a fourth-place finish in Serie A.
This campaign he has scored three Champions League goals in two games – one in a 3-1 win over Dortmund in Rome and twice against Zenit with the same scoreline last time out in the Stadio Olimpico.
In between, Immobile missed two games, both 1-1 draws, against Club Brugge and away at Zenit, because of positive coronavirus tests.
“He is important for our football,” said coach Simone Inzaghi.
“He’ll make the fortunes of Lazio, and also those of Italy.”
In total, Immobile has seven Champions League goals from 12 appearances between Lazio, Dortmund, Sevilla and Juventus. He was also top scorer in the Europa League in 20172018.
But despite his record performances with Lazio, the player known as “King Ciro” to fans, has been criticised for his failure to perform well outside of Italy.
An €18 million (RM86m) move to Jurgen Klopp’s Dortmund in 2014 reaped just three goals in 24 appearances, before a transfer after just one season to Sevilla, who loaned him to Torino.
“I arrived at Dortmund at the wrong time, during a generational change,” said Immobile.
“There were some difficulties, but I don’t want to say anything about this. I know when I deserve praise or criticism.”
He returned to Lazio in 2016 for less than €10 million (RM48m), the same year former Biancocelesti forward Inzaghi took over as coach and the 30-year-old has flourished in a system tailor-made to his strengths.
The arrival of five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo’s at Juventus in 2018, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic joining AC Milan this year has provided a extra boost.
“Ronaldo’s arrival in Italy was an extra stimulus for me,” said Immobile who scored five more goals that the Portuguese star last season.
“When these great champions arrive, they push you to give more, to understand if you too you can be at that level.
“It happened with Ibra too, I studied him because he is a great champion. I hope to still be like this when I’m Ibra’s age.” – AFP