Ciro Immobile bagged a superb hattrick to oust Serie B bound Genoa at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris to complete a 4-1 thrashing of the Ligurians at their home. However, the hattrick was the last of his worries, as he reiterated his disappointment at Italy’s failure to make to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar at the end of the year in his post-match talk.
“Criticism is part of this sport, but I don’t like it when bad things are invented. I am more than sorry about the elimination from the World Cup, but I have the same responsibilities as everyone else. When such a great defeat comes, you can’t point the finger at anyone. My future in the national team? I am one who never backs down, now I aim to finish the championship, reach goals with Lazio and then let’s see,” he said in an interview with Sky Sport Italia (via SPORTface.it).
#GenoaLazio, così #Immobile: "Sarri sta diventando importante per me. Nazionale? Non mi tiro indietro"https://t.co/QsLsTNewrP
— Sportface (@sportface2016) April 10, 2022
Immobile was a goal behind new Juventus signing Dusan Vlahovic before the match started, but is now two goals ahead of the Serbian in the Capocannoniere rankings.
Speaking of Vlahovic’s exploits, he said: “He’s having a great but difficult season,” and continued, “As always, the coach and team-mates put me in a position to do this and it has been like this since I’ve been here. The credit is also due to my family who has been close to me at this time.”
Lazio’s all-time top goalscorer in the league is enroute his fourth Capocannoniere title, having won thrice before, starting in 2013/14 (22 goals), 2017/18 (29 goals) and most recently in 2019/20 with 36 goals – aging like fine wine with each passing season.
Immobile has 24 goals this season despite having played three games less than second-placed Vlahovic, who is on 22 goals.