Ciro Immobile had a very special dedication after scoring the crucial stoppage-time penalty for Lazio to beat Fiorentina. ‘I always think of what is best for the team first and myself second.’
This has been a difficult time for the captain, who has struggled with injury and poor form, then was criticised in the media and even by some Biancocelesti supporters.
It prompted him to admit he was not entirely sure if he’d made the right decision rejecting the lucrative offer from the Saudi Pro League over the summer.
Taty Castellanos started today, but Immobile came off the bench late on and made the difference, keeping his cool to convert a last-gasp penalty against Fiorentina, awarded for Nikola Milenkovic’s handling offence.
This has also been a rough few days for the team, who lost 3-1 to Feyenoord in the Champions League.
“I always think of what is best for the team first and myself second. The lads did well, it was an open game, we could’ve won or lost, but we were rewarded for believing more,” Immobile told Sky Sport Italia.
“We are lacking some goals from us strikers and when you create this many chances, you need to be sharp, get into the right positions and be clear-headed in front of goal. We kept a clean sheet tonight and that is also an important thing to build on.”
The result pushes Lazio up the standings to seventh place, only three points behind Atalanta in fourth, so how can they get closer to the European spots?
“We need games like this. After the rough start, we felt very downhearted and that did not help either. Now we need to keep racking up points and keep that belief.”
Immobile has struggled this season, that is beyond dispute, and was asked how he is doing right now.
“I am calm, my family is by my side. I want to dedicate the goal to my father, who over the last week has had some difficult moments. Also to my wife, my children, they are by my side and make me smile.”