Lazio, Belahyane: "I grew up in difficult conditions, I'm not afraid of the derby"

Rome 6 February 2025 - The January market is over and the Lazio begins to introduce its players after their respective social presentations. Today, inside the Formello technical center, a press conference was held, divided into essentially four chapters, to present all the new arrivals of this transfer market session. The first to kick off the dance was Ibrahimovic, the first to arrive, followed closely by Reda Belahyane. The Moroccan midfielder has once again taken the football path that connects the Verona to the Lazio, as done by captain Weather in Zaccagni and mister Baroni before him. On a technical level, perhaps the most ready player to take the field in this market, there are many expectations on the 2004 class boy. 

Before the questions for the former player Verona but there was, just like for Ibrahimovic, the presentation of the sports director Angelo Fabiani. "I think there is little to say - the DS begins - about Belahyane, comes from the Verona and he has certain characteristics and qualities. You know him as well as I do by now. What plays in his favor is his age: a 2004 with ample room for growth and improvement. He too was considered a right profile to insert into a functional dressing room, without altering the balance".

Player with many proposals, in the end Belahyane chose the Lazio and for this reason the first question immediately teased the player by asking him what pushed him to choose the white and sky blue. "The Lazio It's the first club I spoke to. I really liked the project, and I also knew the French players who play here. It's an ambitious club and for a guy like me that's what we need. The position in Europe and in the league prove it."

There is great anticipation about what the impact will be of Belahyane in this second part of the season, for this reason he was asked what he thinks his role and playing time could be. "The coach has a lot of faith in me. I already know Baroni from the times of Verona and - the boy underlines - we talked a lot. He told me what I have to improve to take my place. In a three-man midfield I prefer to play as number 6, in the center. In a two-man midfield I have no preference on the two positions. Lazio He's always played like this and so I'll adapt."

Holder of dual citizenship, French and Moroccan, the boy has chosen to represent the North African national team and has no doubts about his choice: "There are many strong players in the Moroccan national team who play in Europe, even in excellent clubs. I don't think there is any more competition for the French national team jersey. Moreover, since I was a boy I knew I would play for Morocco. I wanted to honor my family, my parents are Moroccan and some of my brothers were even born there. For all these reasons I chose the Morocco, I feel Moroccan."

A player with great potential, he is very aware of his limits, but above all, already in this press conference, he shows a great personality, underlining his difficult past and great courage on the pitch. "Being young I have to improve in many things. In particular I have to start with the header and add physique to be a number 6 at international level. I am not afraid of the derby. I grew up in Paris in complicated conditions. I am not afraid of these things and I will always go on the pitch with the right hunger".

La Lazio will play the round of 16 of Europa League by virtue of the first place achieved in the championship phase. To be able to play, you need to return to the Uefa list e Belahyane aims to overcome the mister's cut Baroni. "Honestly, I really hope so. I came here to give everything for the club. I don't know if I'll be on the list, the coach decides, but I really hope so."

When asked what his potential might be, the boy answers in a very cynical way, not wanting to go out on a limb with words, but thinking only about the pitch. "Talk is talk, I think that being humble and working every day. I'm here at Lazio, I'm in a top club and I want to win every match. We don't have to rush but I also want to win theEuropa League and then play the Champions League".

A parallel with last year is necessary, when he met Baroni a Verona, he is asked how much has changed since then and if the Tuscan coach has changed in any way. "I have not found the coach changed. With the Verona he really did a great job and today he is doing the same things here at Lazio. Since I arrived, he has spoken to me and is speaking to me a lot. For a young guy like me it is not easy to assert yourself in Serie A, but I think they saw in me a player capable of imposing himself with personality. The strength to play difficult marches and do it with courage".

Two crossings in the past for Belahyane against Lazio, here are the player's impressions on the Biancocelesti. "The Lazio is one of the most difficult teams to face. They made us run a lot, maybe they are the one that made us run the most. They always want to keep the ball and are not afraid to play, they have players like Day e Castilians who are very good in the goal area. These are all the reasons that convinced me to come here."

Rich in French boys, Belahyane admits to having had a very positive first impact with his teammates, starting to talk to them: "They were all very welcoming. The group was very warm and obviously the French in particular. I had already spoken with Day, Guendouzi e Tchaouna, who I already knew by the way because we are almost the same age, after the match at Bentegodi. I also spoke a lot with rovella, but we didn't go into the details of the role."

Many expectations, typical of a large square, such as the Roman one of Lazio, but the player doesn't feel pressure: "These are the things that give me the most energy. It doesn't put pressure on me, but it motivates me to play even better."

The last question asked the player who he looks up to and who his football idol is. "The player I always name is Ngolo Kanté, a humble, serious and hard-working player. A physically small player, but who is never afraid to play and recovers many balls. He is the most famous player among those who inspire me".