Inter and legendary goalkeepers: ten facts about Ivan Provedel

Born on 27 March 1994 in Pordenone, Ivan Provedel grew up on the local football pitches of Friuli, starting out as a striker. He moved to goalkeeping at Liapiave, a club that allowed him to join Udinese's youth academy. After a spell at Chievo, Provedel made his professional debut with Pisa in 2013 in Lega Pro. Ivan then played in Serie B for Perugia, Modena, Pro Vercelli, and Empoli, the Club where he also made his Serie A debut in October 2018. In January 2020, he moved on loan to Juve Stabia. The following season marked a decisive step in Provedel's career, as the goalkeeper enjoyed two impressive Serie A campaigns with Spezia before joining Lazio. Now, after four great seasons with the Biancocelesti, Ivan joins Inter.

A DESTINY BETWEEN THE STICKS

Provedel has Italian and Russian roots, as his mother comes from Russia. There, his grandparents had a very special neighbour: in fact, Lev Yashin, the legendary Dinamo Moscow and Soviet Union goalkeeper who won the 1960 European Championship, lived in one of the buildings in their neighbourhood. In 1963, Yashin also became the only goalkeeper in history to win the Ballon d’Or. Knowing that his grandparents were neighbours of such a legendary player means a lot to Provedel.

HIS ALL-TIME IDOL

As a child, Provedel’s career began in attack, but the 1994-born goalkeeper always dreamed of playing between the sticks. The reason is simple: after watching Francesco Toldo’s heroics at Euro 2000, Ivan fell in love with the legendary goalkeeper. In 2001, Toldo moved to Inter, the club young Provedel supported.

IN ANOTHER LIFE

Provedel always dreamed of becoming a footballer. If he hadn't managed to become a footballer, he would have liked to become a physiotherapist.

HIS FIRST NERAZZURRI MEMORY

Born in 1994, Ivan was a big Nerazzurri fan as a child. His first memory linked to Inter is a truly magical moment: the incredible 1998 UEFA Cup final. It was an unforgettable night for Inter and Ronaldo, who lifted the trophy after defeating Lazio 0-3 at the Parc des Princes in Paris.

A... CALM PRESENCE

If he had to use three words to describe himself, Ivan would choose just one: calm. It is a quality that defines him both in everyday life and on the pitch, and is a fundamental attribute for a goalkeeper.

UDINESE AND HANDANOVIĆ

After playing on various local football pitches across Friuli-Venezia Giulia and Veneto, Provedel’s first major opportunity as a goalkeeper came in 2010, when Ivan was 16 years old. The 1994-born player joined Udinese’s youth academy, where he met and trained alongside a future Nerazzurri legend, Samir Handanović, who was the Bianconeri’s goalkeeper at the time. The Slovenian had a huge impact on Provedel, who continued to follow him closely during his eleven years at Inter.

LOOKING AHEAD

Provedel has been the star of several important matches throughout his career. Ivan has also managed to score two goals: one for Juve Stabia against Ascoli in Serie B, and another that became famous against Atlético Madrid in the Champions League while wearing the Lazio shirt. However, Provedel does not dwell too much on the past: the goalkeeper believes that the best game of his career will always be the next one.

SERIE A MVP

In the 2022/23 season, Provedel was named Serie A’s best goalkeeper. That year, Ivan played a key role in Lazio’s second-place finish, keeping an impressive 21 clean sheets and equalling the all-time record set by Gianluigi Buffon and Morgan De Sanctis.

THE PIANO

The new Nerazzurri goalkeeper can play the piano, although Ivan believes he knows more about the theory than the practical side. The first piece Provedel learned to play, and the one he is most attached to, is Ludwig van Beethoven’s Für Elise.

A PRE-MATCH RITUAL

Before every game, Provedel has a habit: he calls a friend on the phone to ease the nerves and have a chat before taking to the pitch.