Lazio midfielder Marco Parolo trusts Ciro Immobile for tonight’s game with Napoli, but thinks players who become Coaches are “mad.”
The two sides face off for third place at the Stadio San Paolo at 19.45 GMT, click here for a match preview.
“I consider myself a silent leader,” Parolo told La Repubblica newspaper.
Lazio midfielder Marco Parolo trusts Ciro Immobile for tonight’s game with Napoli, but thinks players who become Coaches are “mad.”
The two sides face off for third place at the Stadio San Paolo at 19.45 GMT, click here for a match preview.
“I consider myself a silent leader,” Parolo told La Repubblica newspaper.
“I prefer to set the example on the pitch. In the locker room you do need someone who can raise their voice when necessary. The veterans in the group try to teach the youngsters that talent is not enough if you don’t sacrifice yourself to help your teammates.
“We’ve already shown our mentality in the last three games. A positive result against Napoli would be further proof of our standing.”
It’s a homecoming for Lazio striker Immobile, so do Napoli regret not going in for the ex-Torino, Borussia Dortmund and Sevilla striker?
“They preferred to go for a big name, even if it’s fair to say Arkadiusz Milik is very good,” continued Parolo.
“Nobody asked questions on why Immobile had those disappointing years in Europe, didn’t examine the context. Lazio did well to believe in him, he’s a striker who can score 20 goals per season.
“He seems to find the net every game at the moment, I think he’ll score against Napoli too, then it’ll be up to the rest of us to ensure we don’t concede.
“Our trident attack can become the best in Serie A, as they have extraordinary talent, but need to find consistency. Felipe Anderson has some incredible moves and has matured, as he feels the confidence of the Coach and his teammates. We ask him to be decisive, he feels important and makes the difference.”
Parolo was asked about his future and is confident you won’t see him following the footsteps of Simone Inzaghi.
“In my view, players who become Coaches after 15-16 years of training ground routines and sacrifices, effectively continuing this lifestyle, are mad.
“I opened a football school in Varese and will dedicate myself to working with kids, to help them learn the positive values of sport.
“I learned some valuable lessons at the age of 30, whereas if I’d known then at 24 then my career would’ve been different. Antonio Conte’s Nazionale at Euro 2016 was based on ferocity and tactical certainty. Just like Juventus, we never gave up. Italy haven’t really changed under Giampiero Ventura, as the principles remain the same.”