Lazio midfielder Felipe Anderson has explained why it took him time to settle in Italy.
The 21 year-old arrived from Santos in July 2013 in a reported deal worth €7.5 million, but struggled to make an impact in his maiden campaign.
Anderson started the season with a malleolar injury and managed just one goal in 20 appearances in all competitions, as Lazio struggled under Head Coach Vladimir Petković and his subsequent replacement Edoardo Reja.
This season, with Stefano Pioli at the helm, Anderson has grown into a key protagonist for Lazio and took his tally for the campaign to eleven goals in 28 appearances with a strike in Sunday’s 4-0 win at home to Empoli.
Speaking to Brazilian newspaper O Globo, Anderson pointed out a number of reasons as to why he struggled initially at Lazio and pinpointed Pioli as an influence behind his meteoric rise this term.
“Don’t forget that when I arrived in Rome I was injured, I wasn’t familiar with European football and I needed time to adapt,” as reported by website Football Italia.
“The tempo here is completely different, you can’t deny it. The football is a lot more physical, fast and tactical and I wasn’t used to that.
“During that year I didn’t play a lot but I worked very hard studied tactics and listened attentively to the advice of my Coach.
“This year I’ve had the chance to show my qualities thanks to the new Coach, to the group and to the squad that has always supported me.
“I have earned the trust of everyone, I have matured, and you can see this on the pitch.”
