Lazio Defender Reveals His Toughest Opponent, Names Liverpool Star as His Idol

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·13 de agosto de 2025

Lazio Defender Reveals His Toughest Opponent, Names Liverpool Star as His Idol

Lazio youngster Oliver Provstgaard discussed several topics in an interview with the club’s official channels (via Il Corriere dello Sport).

The Background

The 22-year-old joined the Biancocelesti in January, but had a limited role in Marco Baroni’s plans, as his first six months were considered a mere adjustment period. However, the Dane is now working his way up the hierarchy, especially following an impressive pre-season.

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Oliver Provstgaard Set for Prominent Role at Lazio

Maurizio Sarri has now identified him as the first replacement for the centre-back partnership of Alessio Romagnoli and Mario Gila, thus usurping Samuel Gigot and Patric in the pecking order. Therefore, Provestgaard is set to start in the Serie A opener against Como, as Romangoli will be serving a ban.

(Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)

The young defender reckons that the team failed to live up to the expectations last season, but he believes Sarri can guide the team back to its rightful place.

This team needs to have a great season. The previous campaign wasn’t great and the season didn’t end well, this season is very important for us . I like Sarri. He’s a great coach and has great ideas. Working with him is different from last season, where we used to mark man-to-man. Now, the manager wants us to build from the back.

Provstgaard Names Romelu Lukaku as Toughest Opponent

The Copenhagen native also opened up on his first few months in Rome, while identifying Napoli bomber Romelu Lukaku as the most difficult opponent he has ever faced.

They’ve been very good, important for my growth. Arriving in February was important. I feel good, I’m playing much more in friendlies. I want to play with character. Italian football is very physical and different from Danish football. There are very strong players here, it was important for me to get familiar with the league. The toughest opponents? I’d say that Lukaku is very strong, for example, as are Napoli, and also [Duvan] Zapata.

Idolising Virgil van Dijk

Finally, Provstgaard explained why Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk is his football role model, while naming Barcelona teenager Lamine Yamal as his pick for the Ballon d’Or.

Van Dijk is my idol. He’s good with his feet but also impecable when defending. Guessing the winner of the Ballon d’Or is very difficult. I’d like to see Yamal win, but I don’t think it will be that easy. I think [Ousmane] Dembélé will clinch the award.