Immobile: ‘I’d Like to Play Against Spezia but Doctors Are Reluctant’

Lazio forward Ciro Immobile acknowledges the public at the end of the Italian Serie A football match between Torino and Lazio, on August 20, 2022 at the stadio Olimpico in Turin. (Photo by MARCO BERTORELLO / AFP) (Photo by MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP via Getty Images)

Lazio star Ciro Immobile provided an update on his physical condition, why he withdrew from the Azzurri camp and his work firing up the squad after their shock loss to FC Midtjylland.

The 32-year-old Biancocelesti striker was one of three players from Maurizio Sarri’s squad called up for this international break but he didn’t take part in the Nations League wins over England and Hungary, remaining sidelined due to a muscle edema. Immobile is now in doubt for this weekend’s clash with Spezia, although he could appear off the bench.

Speaking to Sky Sports Italia (via LazioNews24), Immobile first commented on his chances of taking part in the game against Spezia this weekend.

I’d like to be there, but the doctors are always reluctant. If there are no big risks I’d like to play.

He reflected on his withdrawal from the Italian national team earlier this week.

Nobody influenced Mancini’s decision. There was maximum serenity, there were too many risks. I have to tell the truth, a useless situation was created. The photo that went viral was taken while I was waiting for Mancini who had gone to Rome to vote and was flying back. 

It was just a coincidence, I was going to leave even though I couldn’t play but in the end even Mancini agreed to let me go back home to do the tests and any checks. 

It was pointless making the trip, everyone was happy and content. I was certainly less so because I would have liked to play.

The 32-year-old Lazio talisman looked back on the team’s mood after their loss to Midtjylland and how he tried to fire up the squad.

After Denmark I spoke to the team to explain what the coach meant, he needed help. The issues are the dips, the lack of consistency, those who are emotionally weak are affected more. 

However, football gives you the chance to redeem yourself and we showed this at Cremona, even if Sarri does not like the word redemption. 

The next step is not to have lapses in concentration, that is the thing that angers the fans the most because if you put in an important performance and then in the 90th minute you concede and lose, the fans will probably not be as angry as they were that day in Denmark. 

We sinned by presumption that day, we thought the game was in our hands. We have to grow and be more humble because it’s consistency that we lack a little bit.

Finally, Immobile discussed his and Lazio’s ambitions this season

There is always time and a way to achieve the goals one sets oneself. When I gave the press conference in the national team I spoke about the Scudetto for Lazio but not because I’m sure Lazio will win or I had the presumption to say that Lazio were the strongest. 

But as a club we must have the humility and the desire to improve in order to aim for certain goals. That’s the message. The same goes for me. 

I’m not saying this because as a Neapolitan I’m superstitious, but I believe that aspiring to succeed by breaking records or winning something is the basis of anyone who wants to build something.

Tags Biancocelesti Ciro Immobile immobile Italy Lazio Lazio vs Spezia Rome Serie A Spezia Spezia vs Lazio