Russia tried to call up Lazio goalkeeper Ivan Provedel, but he made it clear that he had no interest in representing the country.
The 29-year-old shot stopper exploded onto the scene last season after his incredible debut year with Lazio, where he smashed a number of records and played a decisive role in the team’s second place finish.
Provedel’s work earnt him a spot in Luciano Spalletti’s Italy squad in the September international break, but he was not handed his debut. He was forced to withdraw from the squad for the ongoing break due to a minor injury.
Speaking to Sport-Express (via TMW), Russia goalkeeping coach Vitaly Kafanov confirmed the interest in Provedel.
We are following Vanya’s performances. We know that he also scored a goal, but we were sorry that he refused to talk to us.
I asked our Football Federation to put me in touch with him. He said he didn’t want to talk to anyone from Russia. We wanted call him up.
Provedel’s agent Giovanni Rava discussed the situation to Sport-Express.
Provedel cannot play for Russia, just as he cannot play for France, Brazil or Portugal, because he does not have citizenship of these countries. He only has Italian citizenship. Maybe Kafanov didn’t know that.
Pressure has started to mount on Italy number one Gianluigi Donnarumma in recent months and Provedel will be hoping to make his debut for the Azzurri ahead of the European Championship next summer.
