Ciro Immobile insists ‘goals will come again’, but he has warned his Lazio teammates about what to expect at Celtic Park.
Lazio visit Celtic in the second match of the Champions League group stage on Wednesday.
Maurizio Sarri slightly rotated against Milan on Saturday, so Immobile started on the bench, but the Italian striker has had a tough start to the season having scored just two goals in eight appearances across all competitions in 2023-24.
“I am feeling well, I am calm,” Immobile said at a pre-match press conference on Tuesday, as quoted by TMW.
“We are not getting the results, but I am sure it will change. There is a nice atmosphere in the dressing room. We are making errors as a team. The defence was our strength last season, now we need to be more ordered.”
Lazio lost four of the opening seven Serie A games this season, winning twice and drawing once. They picked up a 1-1 draw in the first Champions League game of the season against Atletico Madrid two weeks ago, but are Lazio stronger than Celtic?
“I trust my teammates and what they’ve always proved to me,” said Immobile.
“I know what they can do, but I also know how strong Celtic are. They play good football they are not the classic British team.
“We thought we’d have had a different start given the pre-season. We are still a little bit affected by the defeat in Lecce. We were winning and, suddenly, we found ourselves down. We deserved more against Genoa, but any game can be good to react.”
Lazio played against Celtic in the Europa League four years ago under Simone Inzaghi, so Immobile knows exactly what to expect from the Scottish giants, especially away.
“I was on the bench in the first leg so I could experience the atmosphere and I told my teammates what to expect,” revealed the Italian striker.
“A lot of things have changed for them and us. They are a totally different team now.”
Immobile scored his last goal on September 23 against Monza but did not seem to be concerned by his goal drought.
“Goals make the difference and I am still at the top like I was when I won the Golden Boot,” he insisted.
“When we’ll have goal-scoring opportunities again, goals will come again.”
Lastly, Immobile was asked his thoughts on his teammate Taty Castellanos.
“He is a smart guy, who’s been available with everyone. He is young but has played in many leagues and wants to learn,” he said.
“I am convinced he will help us because I see it in training. The same goes for the other new lads who are experiencing the same as us when we started with the mister.”