Ivan Provedel hailed Lazio’s resilience after a tough 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 with Bologna in normal time, before triumphing 4-1 on penalties, with Provedel having a pivotal 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 tightly contested match, with substitute Tijjani Noslin pulling his side back into the contest just three minutes into the second half.
With neither side able to find a winner, they went to spot-kicks, and Provedel saved the first one he faced, denying Lewis Ferguson to put Bologna on the back foot.
And when Riccardo Orsolini missed shortly after, Kenneth Taylor fired the winner straight down the middle to secure Lazio’s place in the semi-finals, where they will face Atalanta.
“It was a great night. We got ourselves into trouble in the first half, but we’re getting stronger,” Provedel said.
“Something good was already starting to happen, then in January we had our ups and downs, but now we’re finding our feet again.
“It was a strong performance in Turin [in a 2-2 draw with Juventus last weekend], we’re working in the right direction, and playing against the champions wasn’t a given.
“I’m happy it went the way it did; the lads played well. Now we’re off to rest because the league doesn’t wait, but we’re fired up for the semi-finals.”
In the last 15 editions of the Coppa Italia (from 2011-12 onwards), only Juventus (11) and Inter (eight) have qualified for the semi-finals of the competition more times than Lazio (seven).
And Noslin already has his eyes on the trophy, which Lazio last won for the seventh time in 2018-19.
“I’m very happy, it was all wonderful,” he said. “My team supported me a lot.
“I’m happy we won, that we advanced, and that I scored. Now we move on to win the cup.”
Lazio’s win was marred by a serious-looking injury for Pedro, who was stretchered off the pitch in the final few minutes of the first half.
