Lazio captain Senad Lulić has spent a decade with the Italian side after his transfer to the Biancocelesti in 2011 from BSC Young Boys. The 35-year-old has gone on to make 354 appearances along with 34 goals and 50 assists.
Having hit the decade mark with Lazio, Lulić spoke with the Lazio Style Channel (via Corriere dello Sport) for an in-depth interview about his time in Rome in addition to various other topics.
The first question that the midfielder received is over reflecting on his time with Biancocelesti. It’s not that often for a player to spend a decade with one club in today’s football.
Almost ten years have now passed since I arrived in Rome. For me, it was more comfortable knowing the language. I played in Bellinzona, where Italian was spoken. I feel great here; every year, my love for this team is renewed. Everyone reminds me of my debut at San Siro, how I entered the field. Not much was expected of me.
Lulić then discussed his upbringing and growing up in Bosnia and Herzegovina during and after the civil war of the early to mid-1990s.
I participated in several tournaments after the war. Football was always present, even during the conflicts in Bosnia. We didn’t play on grass like we do today, but on the street, on concrete. The ball was always there, and being able to play in peace and not be afraid was nice.
It was also an adamant time in Switzerland. For what I have today, I have to thank that country. All five of my family slept in the same room and hoped to be able to stay there. There was always this fear of having to leave a few months later. Fortunately, in the end, we managed to stay, and that became my second home.
Finally, one of the last questions that Lulić touches on was his favourite moment in the decade that he’s been at Lazio. Of course, it’s the Derby della Capitale edition that occurred in the 2013 Coppa Italia final, where the Biancocelesti defeated AS Roma 1-0.
There were endless emotions. Finals are so memorable. I didn’t feel too much pressure; on that day, the veterans in the team helped me. Luckily, the match went in our favour and ended as it did. Derbies are always a wonderful and extraordinary thing, especially here in Rome.
