Lazio youngster Nicolo Rovella recounted his move from Juventus to the capital this summer: “When the coach called I had already made up my mind.” The 21-year-old former Juve youth product made the switch to Lazio this summer on a two year loan with an obligation to buy, immediately finding a place in the starting XI.
Speaking with LaLazioSiamoNoi, the youngster spoke about the switch to the capital and the role teammate Luca Pellegrini played in convincing him of the move:
What is this arrival at Lazio conveying to you?
“All these things are incredible, we come from the derby which is quite heartfelt here in Rome, it was incredible, it was my first derby. From the choreography to the atmosphere there was, you could feel it was a different game.”
Who gave you some advice? Who was most on edge?
“There are a lot of new players this year, the coach said that those who had been here the longest had to say something to us to make us understand the derby. Having played years in Serie A I always watched the derby, it’s beautiful to watch the derby. I already knew what it meant. I spoke to Luis Alberto and he told me about his first time, we spoke in general. It was nice to come in, it was an incredible adrenalin rush.
Are you newcomers fitting in well?
“The coach talks more about the tactical aspect than about fitting into the group. That’s because of the integration of the group, at least for me, but I also see the others, we have all fitted in very well. Isaksen, Guendouzi, Kamada, who do not speak Italian, have integrated very well. It’s a nice group of very good guys, they helped us a lot at the beginning, even me who is one of the youngest. It’s a great group and I have fun in the locker room.
The derby gives you strong emotions, but also the Champions League… what does the Cup arouse in you?
“The Champions League I think is the dream of every kid who starts playing football. For me it’s also for the first time, my first one was in Rotterdam (against Feyenoord, ed), I don’t have a good memory, but for sure, just playing in it was very exciting. I hope to play the game where Lazio play and we win.
Is it an emotional factor that you are having mixed form in the league and doing well in the Champions League?
“I don’t know, the Champions is the Champions, the motivation… but I don’t believe that. It’s also a bit of bad luck, like in Bologna, we played well but then in the end the result was unfavourable, although we did perform. The championship is much longer than the Champions League, you see in the long run, not after two months’.
Your arrival at Lazio, how did it happen?
“The first time I heard about it was thanks to Luca Pellegrini. He was with me in Turin, we were having lunch and he said ‘look they said your name, would you come?’ but I didn’t know anything. I told him ‘I’ll come tomorrow if you go’, and he said ‘then I’ll talk to him’. In the end this negotiation was born, the agent called me, the coach called me. When the coach called I had already made up my mind, but when he called me I was just… (laughs, ed.)’.
When Lotito called you, what did you say to each other?
‘The first call ever was with the coach, then I spoke with the president, then with the director. The first ever was with the coach and he asked me ‘when are you coming?'”.
What kind of guy is Maurizio Sarri? Does he have a rapport with you?
“Yes, but the coach is someone who has his own ideas, rightly the relationship with the players must remain the player-coach relationship. These are things that remain between coach and player. He’s someone who talks, has a relationship, calls you, tells you things.”
Do you like the role of playmaker? What does Sarri want from the playmaker?
“It’s not easy, because the coach has a very clear idea. It’s difficult at the beginning because he asks you so many things, I have so many things to improve. Slowly, every training session, even with some cazziatone, I’m learning. I feel I’m doing better now. The coach asks a lot in the defensive phase, which before maybe I did less, this takes away a bit the dribbling part, the energy you have when the team has the ball.
In that role last year was Danilo Cataldi. How is your relationship with him?
“I also have a great relationship with Danilo because before coming here he had written me a message and so it was very nice, we talked. We had the same prosecutor and we had already spoken when we played against each other when I was at Monza. We spoke after the game because I was curious to know what Sarri was asking him. He helped me right from the start, it’s not easy to fit into a team that already has automatisms. He helped me when the coach got rightly angry.
Undisputed technical quality, does your way of playing in midfield change depending on the teammates you play alongside?
“No. I think my way of playing, and I would like the message to get across, is always the same regardless of who I have alongside and I would like it to be that way. Obviously that changes, then there are all strong players so it’s hard to say. Can Kamada, Luis Alberto and Rovella play together? Of course.
In an interview you said: ‘I like to play more with forwards who go deep because this enhances my game. Castellanos and immobile – How do you find playing with them?
‘Immobile, I don’t have to say, what he is. He is a great striker, he has made history not only for Lazio but also in Serie A. He is one of the goalscorers with the most goals in Serie A. Castellanos also, I didn’t know him well before. I saw that he did very well last year in Spain. He is a great player, physically strong, he attacks the depth well and technically he is a good player. He has an incredible header.
Now let’s unveil a bit of Nicolò’s secret life. What are your hobbies? Are you engaged?
“Lately I only think about football, I’m not engaged but I used to be. I like doing many things like playing tennis, watching combat sports. I watch a lot of football, from Serie A to Serie D. I also watch my friends. Who would I bet on among my mates to send to the ring? Guendouzi. We also bonded a lot, I like him a lot and he makes me laugh a lot. Who’s the craziest? Lazzari, who I have next to me in the dressing room. Ciro Immobile is the wise man of the group.
The strongest of the group?
‘ I’ve always said Luis Alberto, but there’s also Pedro. I would say he’s a champion, it’s impressive to see him in training and he makes plays that leave you speechless.
Modric is your idol. The playmaker a la Sarri, is there someone you are inspired by and like in that role as well as Sarri would like?
“Yes. Lucas Leiva. He came to see us last time, we talked. He is a great player, it was very nice that he came to talk to me.”
What would you recommend to a young footballer?
“Definitely, the thing that saved me and got me to Serie A is that I went away from home. I grew up in boarding school, it gives you responsibility and makes you understand your priorities.”
If you feel like promising something: In the league, can Lazio confirm themselves in the Champions League zone?
‘Yes, the goal is to finish in the top four. We’re trying hard, we still have to fix a few things but I think we’ll make it. I hope to go as far as possible in the Champions League.
A dream you keep in the drawer? The national team?
“The national team, but most of all winning something here in Rome with Lazio.”
A word to the fans…
“I want to thank them for the support they give us every Sunday and for the support at the derby. I didn’t expect the derby like that, the choreography was incredible. I was speechless. I feel like saying that we’ll give it our all until the goals we set at the beginning of the year are achieved.
