Lazio full-back Luca Pellegrini reveals his role in turning his teammate Nicolo Rovella into a genuine Lazio supporter.
The Background
Despite starting his career at Roma, Pellegrini is a lifelong Biancocelesti supporter who eventually fulfilled his wish by signing for his beloved club in January 2023, completing a loan switch from Juventus. In the following summer, the two clubs agreed another two-year loan spell with an obligation to buy. But this time, the left-back was accompanied by Rovella who joined Lazio on similar terms.
Luca Pellegrini Took Nicolo Rovella to ‘Lazio School’
While the duo remain on the Bianconeri’s books, they have proved themselves to be Laziali through and through. In his interview with Il Tempo (via La Lazio Siamo Noi), Pellegrini took some credit for converting his friend and teammate into a real Lazio supporter, explaining how he served as his guide during his teammate’s first day in the Italian capital.
The enthusiasm that Lazio invokes is incredible. Rovella immediately felt it. I also deserve some credit for that. When he first arrived in Rome, we were always together, I even acted as his guide. So I took him to the ‘Lazio school’. I showed him videos of the matches that went down in the club’s history.
But it wasn’t just me, but also the other people he met, so this passion grew within him, and sometimes, he even manages to amaze me. He became a Lazio Ultras on the pitch.
A Lazio Pillar
Rovella may have had his highs and lows last season, but he has now established himself as a true protagonist at the heart of Marco Baroni’s formation, acting as the lynchpin that links the lines together. The midfielder’s exploits have recently earned him his senior Italy debut.
Well, Luca will have another match Sunday I guess, hence Tavares didn’t figure in Portugal squad list vs Croatia .
I hope he only picked up a minor injury and will be back very soon. I am waiting for an official statement since yesterday 😖