Alberto: Lazio s championship competition is the best memory, and little Inzaghi is like a father in the locker room

Spanish midfielder Alberto currently plays for Qatari team Duhail. In an interview, he talked about Inzaghi and other topics.

You played for Lazio for 8 years and came to Qatar last year to play. What was your first impression of Qatar?

It was a bit difficult to make this decision because I have been at Lazio for 8 years and it has had a big impact. The league here is very well organized, but there is certainly a lot that needs to be improved. We are used to seeing packed stadiums for all games and this aspect was the hardest to accept at first. But the league is gradually developing and I think it will reach a higher level here.

In your opinion, what changes have occurred in culture and sports when coming to Qatar from Europe?

There is a fundamental change. To be honest, the level of football here is different, Qatar is a small country and it is difficult to find many high-level players here. But as professionals and projects advance, the situation is gradually improving. I think we'll see over time. I think within two or three years we will see where the Qatari league is headed.

You spent the best years of your career at Lazio, what are your fondest memories there?

I have a lot of good memories, especially in my second season at Lazio, because I scored a lot of goals and I actually played like a striker, which was different. But if I had to choose, I would choose the 2019-20 season before the epidemic. We were doing well in training and in games, we had a great team and we were almost in contention for the Serie A title, which was very difficult for Lazio. Because in Italy, there are some teams whose total salary is higher than ours, such as Inter Milan, Milan, Juventus and some other teams. But we can compete and bring joy, we have a very good team and a very good coach. In that season, before the pandemic, we were competing for the Serie A title, which was extraordinary.

You worked with Inzaghi at Lazio, and he later coached Inter Milan to win the Serie A championship. What was it like playing under him?

That experience was also difficult for him at the beginning because it was his first time as a head coach. He's come a long way now, certainly not what he was before, but it was extraordinary at the time. Inzaghi Jr. is not only a coach, but also a very close person who will do his best to help you. For us, he is not only a coach, but also a father figure in the dressing room. He always supported us and it was a great experience. Because of this, we still have a good relationship to this day.