It’s not quite a rags-to-riches story, but it’s not too far away! Lazio exceeded all expectations this season to finish the Serie A campaign just behind the undisputed champions Napoli, and one of their unlikely heroes was Ivan Provedel, the goalkeeper who only came to the club as a last resort.Maximiano getting a red card in the first match was the best thing to happen to Lazio this season.21 clean sheets this season, number one in Serie A. Provedel has been pivotal in Lazio finishing second and qualifying for the Champions League. Quality signing 🦅 pic.twitter.com/Do7Q4A0coW— Jerry Mancini (@jmancini8) June 3, 2023 The 29-year-old goalie joined the sky blues at the start of the season from Spezia Calcio for less than $3 million to provide competition for Luis Maximiano, the guy who arrived around the same time from Granada for a fee three times larger. However, the Portuguese shot-stopper had a nightmare debut, getting sent off just six minutes into the season-opening game against Bologna. Provedel got subbed on – and he never looked back!##NAJAVA_MECA_7298516##Just nine months later, he has been awarded the title of Best Goalkeeper of the 2022/23 Serie A season – and he duly added the clean sheet record to round off a terrific year. The historic record achieved by Provedel was sealed with the clean sheet obtained on Saturday night in the 2-0 win at Empoli. It was mission accomplished for Maurizio Sarri’s team with another win and another clean sheet, the 21st of the remarkable season.He joined the exclusive club of top goalies who managed to record these numbers, namely: Fabio Cudicini (1968/69 with Milan), Sebastiano Rossi (1993/1994 with Milan), Morgan De Sanctis (2013/14 with Roma) and Gianluigi Buffon, who got there on three occasions. 21 – Ivan #Provedel kept 21 clean sheets in the Serie A 2022/23, a joint-record for a goalkeeper in the three points for a win era in #SerieA (since 1994/95), alongside Buffon in 2015/16, De Sanctis in 2013/14 and Buffon in 2011/12. Wall. pic.twitter.com/RPMuXPEpz8— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) June 3, 2023 In early April, Provedel said he is uncomfortable being compared to the best goalkeepers in Serie A history. Who knows what he will think now, now that he’s been inducted into the list alongside the best goalies Italian championship has ever had.
