Interview with Lazio striker Simone Inzaghi
Crisis, what crisis?

Simone Inzaghi

By Marco Fagioli
february 2009

Most young Italian boys play street football, many dream of becoming a professional player; only a lucky few actually make it. The small northern town of San Nicolò outside Piacenza has just 8,000 inhabitants but has produced several players who reached the top levels of Italian soccer: two from the same family – Filippo and Simone Inzaghi. AC Milan forward Filippo was a member of Italy’s World Cup-winning team in 2006.
After a persistent back injury had kept Simone Inzaghi on the fringes of the team, he has finally regained his fitness and is eager to fight for a first-team place.
It’s been a difficult 3-4 years, but now I’m fully fit and ready to make my contribution. So far this season the coach has decided to give me only limited playing time, but I’m sure my turn will come. I’m keen to show that even at 32 years of age I can still help the club".

Lazio have lost three straight league games, conceding 10 goals in the process, and dropping out of the race for a place in next season’s UEFA Cup. Disgruntled fans have been speaking of a crisis.
No, we lost the games because of bad breaks. The team’s not playing bad football, we just need a bit of luck.

Some people have blamed it on the three-pronged attacking formation.
That’s not true. (Coach) Delio Rossi has always played like this. We’re simply going through an unlucky period. We’ve got a great chance of success in the Italian Cup. If we can beat Juventus in the semi-final we’d be guaranteed a place in next year’s UEFA Cup, which was our goal at the start of the season.

You’re the last remaining member of the glorious team which won the scudetto in 2000. But since then, nothing…
Playing in Rome is not always easy. There’s so much pressure: the press, sports radio, the fans who demand instant success. But I like it, I wouldn’t have it any other way. This is like home to me. I’ve got a very special relationship with the club and I wouldn’t want to play for any other team. I’ve recently extended my contract for another two years and I hope to finish my career here. A few years ago I was on the verge of completing a move to Aston Villa but – with all due respect – Birmingham is not Rome. I’ve spent most of my adult life in Rome. I’ve bought a home here and my son Tommaso goes to school here.

Your old friends in your hometown of San Nicolò won’t be pleased. Everyone there wants to form a team with the guys who were born there: you, your brother Filippo, Marcello Campolonghi (a former striker with Brescia in seria A).
(laughs) I know. We all began in the local team of San Nicolò and then started professionally at Piacenza. I’ve still got loads of friends there, but now my family’s in Rome.

Was there never any chance of you and Filippo playing on the same club?
We played together in the national team, which was really a dream come true. In the past there was talk of me moving to AC Milan, but nothing came of it.

Many people have said you’re a more talented player than your brother.
Only my childhood friends would say that … But seriously, Pippo’s career is simply out of sight: 250 goals in all competitions. In my opinion he’s still the best Italian striker playing.

Do you follow international football?
I love watching the English Premier League. I always enjoy seeing Manchester United play.

So for the final of the Champions League, which will be played here in Rome at the Olympic Stadium, would you chance a bet on the Red Devils?
Too right. Unless something strange happens, they should walk away with it.

Simone Inzaghi was born in Piacenza on 5 April, 1976.
He began playing with the local club in San Nicolò before joining the youth team at Piacenza. After starting his professional career in the lower divisions, he reached serie A in the 1998-99 season and scored 15 league goals helping Piacenza stave off relegation. The following year he joined a star-studded Lazio team (Veron, Nedved, Nesta, Mancini). With 7 goals in 22 league appearances he helped the side to its second serie A title. The following season one of the best performances of his career saw him score four times in a Champions League tie against Olympique Marseilles.
He made his international debut for Italy against Spain in 2000 when he played alongside his brother Filippo (picture)