Lazio striker, Ciro Immobile has taken the pain of COVID-19 infection by returning to the pitch to do what he knows how to do best – score goals. He is now preparing to compete for the Serie A golden ball award with Cristiano Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Immobile who scored during the weekend Serie A clash against Crotone to become the joint number two Lazio all-time scorer continued from where he stopped on Tuesday night against Zenith in the UEFA Champions League.
The Italian striker, who battled coronavirus for weeks scored two of Lazio’s three goals against the Russian champions. He admitted he wanted to ‘take it all out’ on the pitch in the Champions League.
The striker wasted no time in announcing his return to action on Tuesday evening after missing the last two Champions League fixtures. He scored a stunner in the fourth minute of the game to give the hosts the lead.
#UCL #LazioZenit 👑 @ciroimmobile nel post partita: "Siamo stati eccezionali, non dobbiamo mollare"
— S.S.Lazio (@OfficialSSLazio) November 24, 2020
➡️ https://t.co/AXkauFcsU4 pic.twitter.com/yn916DC0Xt
Lazio extended their lead through Marco Parolo, who also scored his first Champions League goal to give Lazio a four-point advantage over Club Brugge.
Zenith reduced the scoreline in the first half through Artem Dzyuba’s strike while Immobile scored his second from the penalty spot to keep them just one point off group leaders Borussia Dortmund, who defeated Club Brugge 3-0.
“I feel like a kid when I play football, so when I can’t be on the pitch, it doubles my rage. I took it all out on the pitch and wanted to give my contribution to the good work done by my teammates who did so well in the previous games.
“I read names of players who made the history of this club and of Italian football, so to see myself up there is a dream. I share all credit with the coach and my teammates, as they put me in a position to give my best,” he told Sky Sport Italia.
Immobile ready to lead Lazio and compete against Ronaldo and Ibrahimovic
The 30-year-old striker is not willing to stop banging in the goals any moment from now because he still has records to break like that of Cristiano Ronaldo and that of Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
After emerging the golden ball winner last season with 36 goals, Immobile has scored just three goals in two Serie A games. His game time was reduced by the dreaded virus.
He now needs to catch Ibrahimovic and Ronaldo who are already on ten and eight goals respectively.
“When champions like Cristiano Ronaldo join Serie A, you take it as a challenge to push your limits and see what level you are at. I did the same with Zlatan Ibrahimovic, as you have to study these great strikers who continue to break records even at their age.
“I am 30 years old, but I still feel very young and hope to continue as long as Ibra in that form,” he added.
The Aquile remain unbeaten in Europe. With Immobile back in action, they might extend that. Their meeting against Dortmund on game day five will determine who tops the group.
With Immobile in the centre forward role, Lazio can get a goal or get an assist at least from the frontman.
