Muriqi: ‘I’m ready to contribute’
Lazio striker Vedat Muriqi said ‘it’s a pleasure to come back’ to Istanbul ahead of the match with Galatasaray. ‘I’m working to put myself on the same level as my teammates’.
The 27-year-old arrived from Fenerbahce in September 2020 and signed a five-year deal with he Biancocelesti but struggled to compete with Ciro Immobile.
The Kosovo international has appeared in all three Serie A games this term and could get a chance to shine against Galatasaray in the Europa League tonight.
Sarri: ‘The Europa League is beautiful, Lazio must give an answer’
Muriqi has only scored two goals in his 37 competitive games with the Aquile, but coach Maurizio Sarri said he thinks the big centre-forward has been wrongly criticised during his time at the Olimpico.
The former Super Lig player stressed he’s working hard to raise his level and fight for a place in the side, but pointed at a difficult start with illness and the fact that he arrived from a ‘league at a lower level’.
“Istanbul is a beautiful city and it’s a pleasure to come back,” Muriqi said at a press conference. “I’m a striker and I want to score, I’m ready to do what I have to.
“In the first season with Lazio, I presented myself with COVID and I had just arrived from a league at a lower level.
“I’m working to put myself on the same level as my teammates, it’s difficult to become a starter in a team that has been playing together for five years.
“I’m ready to give my contribution, then the coach will decide.”