Ivan Provedel opened up about Lazio’s pre-season preparations at Auronzo di Cadore, his competition with Christos Mandas and the upcoming Europa League campaign.
The Biancocelesti are gearing up for the 2024-25 season under Marco Baroni and have started their pre-season retreat, putting full focus on the new campaign. In the background, work is still ongoing in the transfer market.
Lazio have already signed Salernitana’s Loum Tchaouna, Hellas Verona’s Tijjani Noslin and Hatayspor’s Fisayo Dele-Bashiru. Ciro Immobile will soon be sold to Besiktas and the Biancocelesti are ready to welcome Arsenal’s Nuno Tavares as well.
Speaking from the pre-season training camp (via La Lazio Siamo Noi), Provedel first discussed the emotions as Lazio get to work in Auronzo di Cadore.
Good feelings, a new group is being created, new staff arrived with a lot of enthusiasm. We just have to think about working, finding our best condition, taking on board the coach’s messages. I just want to think about doing my best, for my team, for Lazio.
I have no other thoughts. Unfortunately, I had an injury that kept me out for a while, which was more painful than we thought at the beginning, but now I’m fine, I’m ready to recover.
He was asked about his competition with Mandas and the club’s defensive work.
He doesn’t put me in trouble, we’re professionals, we’re here to do our best, thinking about growing, about making every situation something that can contribute to the team. He has shown that he’s very good, I’m happy to work with him, I can improve by watching him.
We work well together, he has a good spirit. I have to improve a lot, I’ll have to understand the coach’s requests well to be as focused as possible. I’ll have to improve in all the fundamentals to be more precise for the team.
The fact that we’re giving consistency to the defensive line is a good foundation, we know each other, we’re beginning to understand the peculiarities of each of us. We’ve already worked for a few years as a four-man line, the demands may be different, the interpretations may vary.
We’ll have to understand well what the coach asks of us. However, I think the process can be made easier by virtue of the fact that we have known each other for years.
Provedel discussed Lazio’s motivations heading into the 2024-25 season.
After a year of finishing second, a certain enthusiasm had been created. The last season was a more difficult one, there were some departures of guys who gave so much for Lazio.
A little less enthusiasm on the part of our fans is understandable. Our fans have to be won over, we have to do it with our spirit, determination, what we will try to bring onto the pitch.
He commented on the upcoming Europa League campaign.
It’s right to have this kind of thinking, we represent an important club. We must try to improve on the path of the previous year, in the league we must try to finish higher, maybe dreaming of something important.
And also, the Europa League, going ahead in more competitions can give you something more from the point of view of self-esteem and mentality.
Finally, Provedel discussed the growth of Italian goalkeepers in recent years.
We are well placed, starting with Donnarumma. In Italy many of the most important teams have Italian goalkeepers. This shows that several are growing and very good ones, I’m really very pleased.
Love you Ivaaaan 🤍💙🦅🤍🦅💙