Ciro Immobile is ‘super proud’ to captain Lazio in the Champions League Round of 16 against Bayern Munich and looks back at how much the club has grown.
The veteran striker converted the winning penalty to give Lazio a 1-0 advantage in the first leg at the Stadio Olimpico.
The decider will kick off on Tuesday at 20.00 GMT with a place in the quarter-finals at stake.
“If we want to be remembered for doing something special, you cannot take the easy route. We must have the same determination and desire to help each other out that we did in the first leg, and add something more, seeing as we are away from home,” said Immobile in his press conference.
He was asked if there will be a special motivational speech prepared for his role as captain.
“I expect it to be a very tense match, so I am wary of piling too much onto the situation. I want my teammates to be united, but calm. Working for each other, that is the only way to beat Bayern.
“What I saw in the first leg was that we did what we had prepared, nobody tried to go over the top. Everyone did their duty and they did it well. That cohesion is what allowed us to win.
“Everything will be more difficult tomorrow, as the atmosphere will be an inferno. I have positive sensations from the team, I saw that spirit, sacrifice and desire to fight against Milan even after the cards.
“Everyone knows what I have done and will do for this team. I am super proud to wear the captain’s armband tomorrow.”
Tension is something Lazio can ill afford, especially after the chaotic scenes in their 1-0 defeat to Milan on Friday, which saw three players sent off.
“We were angry, but must not carry that with us to Munich. Having those kinds of thoughts in a match like this could only bring problems. We did not deserve to lose against Milan, that much I can say.”
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The last two defeats with Fiorentina and Milan saw Lazio slide down the standings, so their chances of qualifying for the Champions League again next season are slim.
“We believe in what we are doing and the growth process of this team. Lazio are very proud to be here in the Round of 16 representing Italy. I do not see a big gap with the other leagues at all and these matches can be important for the future.
“Just remember when I first arrived at Lazio, there was basically just a car park at our training ground, now it is transformed. It is a process of improvement on and off the field. We were not in Europe at all, now we are on the cusp of a Champions League quarter-final.”
Having been part of the Italy squad that beat England at the EURO 2020 Final, Immobile is also coming up against Harry Kane.
“I try to measure myself up against the best and Kane is one of the best. I’ve been fortunate enough over the years to face many great strikers and tried to learn something from them all. Obviously, Kane will want to make up for the first leg, but we have defenders to take care of that.”
Immobile had a brief spell in the Bundesliga with Borussia Dortmund from 2014 to January 2016 and he played in the 2-0 DFL Supercup win over Bayern Munich in August 2014.