Ivan Provedel reflected on his move to Lazio, his development as a goalkeeper, relationship with Maurizio Sarri and first call up to the Italian national team.
The 28-year-old Italian shot stopper signed a five-year contract with the Biancocelesti in the summer after joining from Spezia in a deal worth around €2 million. He was initially signed to be the backup to fellow new arrival Luis Maximiano, but after the Portuguese goalkeeper’s poor debut he proved his qualities and became the new number one in Rome.
Speaking to Lega Serie A (via La Lazio Siamo Noi), Provedel first reflected on the year of 2022 and how it went for him.
For me it was a very positive year, especially on a personal level, I achieved an important and difficult result with Spezia, which will always be a beautiful memory for me, and then I came to Lazio.
I was catapulted into a completely different reality and I’m very happy to be here. The results have been quite good, we can do better but I’m satisfied.
He gave his thoughts on the World Cup in Qatar.
Yes, even though I tried to take a bit of a break from football to enjoy my son. I mainly cheered for my teammates and then I got attached to the Morocco fairytale. In the end, however, I cheered for my friend Erlic who came third and I was very happy for him.
The next World Cup is a long time away! First we should qualify for the European Championship and defend our title, then we will also think about the World Cup. Mancini’s call has given me a further boost and I hope I can do better and better to stay in the Azzurri squad.
The 28-year-old touched on how it felt to receive a call up to the Italian national team.
It was a very strange moment because when I was called up we had just lost 5-1 to Midtjylland, it was difficult to rejoice because we were in a special situation. However, it is undoubtedly a great emotion.
Ever since I was a child, one dreams of playing for the Azzurri and to be part of those 25/30 players called up by the coach was a great joy and also a reason to spur me on to do better and better.
Provedel spoke about the Lazio squad and how the mid-season break benefited them.
We are a team that works hard, has a lot to give, has performed well so far but can do better. We are driven very well but I’m sure we have something inside to be able to do something special!
Everyone managed the break in their own way, some went on holiday and others stayed with their families like I did because I have a small child and I tried to be with him as much as possible.
It helped us to recharge our batteries and then when we came back we were also able to work on a daily basis, something that was never possible in the first part of the season, playing practically every three days.
He looked ahead to the second half of the Serie A season.
We are charged up because these weeks of work have served us well from an organisational and collective point of view.
We arrive ready and prepared for the first match with Lecce. We’ll try to do even better in order to stay in the top areas of the league table.
The 28-year-old remembered his debut with the Biancocelesti.
I arrived here four days before my first match, I never expected to play right away and it wouldn’t have been right either, then what happened happened.
I’m here to do my best and that’s what I’m trying to do, then the coach decides. The thing that gives me the most pleasure is to be able to contribute on the pitch.
Provedel explained why he decided to become a goalkeeper.
I’ll tell you the truth, I always wanted to be a goalkeeper. I fell in love with this role seeing Toldo at the European Championships against the Netherlands, that moment set off the spark for me.
As a child, however, I always played as a striker and I got to a point where I said: ‘Either I play in goal or I stop’. A small club close to home gave me the chance to change roles and I was lucky enough to start again.
There were people who told me it was late and that I wouldn’t be able to do it, I won’t name names, they know that, but it’s always like that, there are those who encourage you and those who don’t…
For me personally yes, I enjoy saving more, it’s also nice to score goals but I feel more fulfilled if I make a good save.
He spoke about the role of goalkeeping and what matters on a tactical level.
It’s true, we are alone, at the end you live your game with a different share than your teammates and you have a different view, you train separately and also the frustration and joy for a good save or a goal conceded is quite personal.
Then we do the one thing the others can’t do, catch the ball with our hands. It’s a unique role! I started about ten years ago when the change started, I think of Neuer who was probably the first to play a certain way.
Football changes in terms of pace, play and demands. You have to be present both in possession and non-possession. I like that, because then you’re even more involved in the game.
The 28-year-old looked back at his development as a shot stopper.
Zoff I didn’t have the luck to know, but he’s one of the best ever. With the others I have played and they all have great seriousness, passion and dedication to work.
Without these characteristics it’s difficult to reach certain levels, then there’s mother nature and there’s the famous soup. At Udine the trainers are very good, if we add all these things up the result is this.
The Italian goalkeeper reflected on his career so far.
I tried not to think about expectations and responsibilities. I am only interested in the pitch because if you think about anything else you risk being crushed. I only think about my path and doing well every day.
I have to be ready when I am called upon. That’s what I did at Spezia and that’s what opened the door for me for this great opportunity that is Lazio. And that’s what I’m doing here too, doing my best.
Then it’s clear that I’m aware of what it means to wear this shirt, we have many fans who follow us with great affection and expect a lot from us, but I remain focused on what I have to do on the pitch.
Provedel spoke about his relationship with coach Maurizio Sarri.
I was already flattered just by the fact that his name was mentioned. The coach is very demanding, as he should be, and I try to do the best I can with everything he asks of me.
I have to be there, help the team and transmit calmness. That’s what I try to do in every game.
He commented on the team’s defensive work this season.
We try to do our best and, following the coach’s instructions as much as possible, we managed to do what was asked of us very well in some games, less so in others, like against Juve.
We could have conceded a few goals less but I hope we can do better from January.
The 28-year-old discussed the team’s objectives for the second half of this season.
We want to go as far as possible, we don’t set ourselves any limits. I wasn’t there last year, and my teammates finished fifth, so I’d say a Champions League finish.
Finally, Provedel touched on Christmas and what he’d like to receive this year.
I would like to be well and see the people I see the least during the year. And then to be with my son, these are the first Christmases for him and he starts to feel the magic of these days. I believe that these moments are the essence of life.
Good intentions? I always think about working to improve on yesterday, the same goes for 2023, I hope it can be a better year in terms of results and more.
