Ivan Provedel praised Lazio’s resilience after a difficult first half and believes their Coppa Italia quarter-final victory over holders Bologna proves they are “getting stronger”.
Lazio came from behind to draw 1-1 against Bologna in regular time, before triumphing 4-1 on penalties, with Provedel making a crucial impact by saving a kick in the shoot-out.
Santiago Castro had given Bologna the lead in the 30th minute, but Lazio fought back in a hard-fought match, with substitute Tijjani Noslin pulling his side back into the match just three minutes into the second half.
With neither side able to find a winner, they went to penalties, and Provedel saved the first one he faced, denying Lewis Ferguson to put Bologna on the back foot.
And when Riccardo Orsolini missed shortly afterwards, Kenneth Taylor fired the winner straight down the middle to secure Lazio’s place in the semi-finals, where they face Atalanta.
“It was a great evening. We got into trouble in the first half, but we are getting stronger,” said Provedel.
“Something good started to happen, then we had our ups and downs in January, but now we are finding our feet again.
“It was a strong performance in Turin [in a 2-2 draw with Juventus last weekend]We are working in the right direction and playing against the champions was not a given.
“I’m happy that it went the way it did; the boys played well. Now we’re going to rest, because the competition doesn’t wait, but we’re ready for the semi-finals.”
In the last 15 editions of the Coppa Italia (from 2011-2012), only Juventus (11) and Inter (eight) have qualified for the semi-finals of the competition more often than Lazio (seven).
And Noslin already has his eyes on the trophy, which Lazio won for the seventh time in 2018/19.
“I’m very happy, it was all great,” he said. “My team has supported me enormously.
“I’m happy that we won, that we continued and that I scored. Now we continue to win the cup.”
Lazio’s victory was marred by a serious-looking injury for Pedro, who was stretchered off the pitch in the final minutes of the first half.
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