Real Betis defender Luiz Felipe reflected on his time in Italy with Lazio and touched on the differences between La Liga and Serie A.
The 25-year-old Italian-Brazilian ended a six-year association with the Biancocelesti earlier this summer, leaving on a free transfer to Real Betis. Luiz Felipe is already making a decent impression in Spain and he’s keen to continue his growth as he looks to break into Roberto Mancini’s Italy squad.
Speaking to El Pais, Luiz Felipe first looked back on his arrival in Italy at 19 and his development during his time with Lazio.
“Lazio signed me thanks to a scout’s recommendation, I was still almost a child and I didn’t speak Italian, the adaptation was complicated. I played very little before going on loan to Salernitana in Serie B.
“But then I came back, settled and played five seasons in Serie A at a good level. As a Brazilian I like to play the ball from the back and take some risks, in Italy I learnt to position myself well, to read games and tactics.
“I have grown, although I am still young, I feel mature. I was surprised by the intensity with which they play in Spain, in Serie A everything is more steady, more orderly, teams expect things.”
He touched on which strikers gave him the most trouble during his time in Serie A.
“In training Immobile drove me crazy, he always attacks the depth behind your back and you don’t know how to stop him.
“Then the other two strongest I played against were Dzeko and Lukaku.”
Finally, Luiz Felipe explained his decision to play for Mancini’s Azzurri rather than wait for a call-up to the Brazil squad. He made four appearances at youth level for Brazil.
“In Italy they already wanted me for the U21 side, but I waited for a call from Brazil. But then two years later Mancini wanted me, he told me he liked my game and wanted me to make my debut for the Azzurri.
“He showed a huge interest in me, I made that decision and I’m happy to be an Azzurri player. It’s not easy because my family lives in Brazil, but when parents understand that you’re happy, everything changes.”
During his time with Lazio, Luiz Felipe made 144 appearances across all competitions, scoring two goals and providing six assists. He helped the side win a Coppa Italia and two Supercoppa Italiana titles.