Ciro Immobile reiterated his disappointment at Italy’s World Cup qualifying disaster following a dominating performance in Lazio’s win over Genoa, where he netted a hat-trick.
The 32-year-old Italian striker scored once in the first half and twice in the second to guide the Biancocelesti to a win at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris this afternoon. It’s a key victory for Maurizio Sarri’s side, who are desperately fighting to secure European qualification this season.
Immobile was one of the most criticised Azzurri players following their 1-0 loss to North Macedonia, something that he’s not too happy about.
“Criticism is part of the sport, not when people invent mean things, that’s when I get upset, Immobile told Sky Sport Italia.
“I am disappointed by the World Cup play-offs and the derby, but I am as responsible as everyone else who participated in this failure. We are teams, we win and lose together.
“When such heavy defeats arrive, you cannot point the finger at one or two individuals, it is to be shared by everyone.”
There have been suggestions that Immobile could even retire from international duty after this season.
“I never back down, that’s what I have always done in my career. I am focusing on the rest of the season, I hope to end it well with Lazio and then we’ll see.”
Immobile now has 24 Serie A goals under his belt this season, leapfrogging Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic at the top of the Capocannoniere charts.
“Vlahovic is having a great campaign, it’s a tough battle up there. As always, the coach, staff and my teammates put me in a condition to score all these goals, so the credit goes also to them.
“I want to thank my family, because they stood by me and supported me, including during this recent difficult period.”
Lazio also temporarily moved in front of bitter rivals Roma into fifth place, ahead of the Giallorossi’s game with Salernitana this evening.
“We struggled a little at the start, but now we are playing the football the coach wants, we’re enjoying ourselves and entertaining the fans too.
“I was almost a trequartista at times, but the coach told me not to stray too far away from what I am, he’ll be happy with my performance today.”