Lazio goalkeeper Ivan Provendel (29 years old, 1.94 m tall) wrote history with his goal in the 90+5 minute against Atletico in the Olimpico at the start of the group phase of the Champions League and sent European football into a frenzy.

It was his night, his moment, all the lights fell on him and his brilliance became… blinding. A goal he will never forget and is undoubtedly the highlight of his career so far.

Yes, was the first in 14 years to score a goal in regular play in the top club competition. The last was the former Standard Liège goalkeeper Sinan Bolat, who also equalized Alkmaar with a header to make it 1-1 in the 90+5 minute. Provendel knew the Rochiblancos and sent the Lazioli’s friends to heaven.

In any case, it wasn’t an… unknown process for him. The proof dates back a few years, on February 7, 2020, when, as a Juve Stabia player, he scored a goal in the last Serie B away game against Ascoli, which ended in a 2-2 draw.

The goalkeeper from Pordenone with five siblings who made it into the squad

But who is the goalkeeper who has all eyes on him? He was born on March 17, 1994 and eis the youngest of the family’s six brothers. He grew up in Pordenone, province of the autonomous region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia, from an Italian father and a Russian mother. His father Venanzio, a furniture entrepreneur, died in 2016.

His first steps at youth level were with Udinese (2011-12) and Kiev (2012-13). Little by little he prepared himself for his professional career, which hopefully has a decade behind it and the path is stable and upward.

During the 2013/14 season he played on loan at Pisa in the Lega Pro Prima Divisione and the following season he went on loan to Perugia in Serie B. He made his debut on August 29, 2014 against Bologna in a 2-1 defeat. Home win. This was followed by Modena (21 appearances) and Pro Vercelli (40 appearances), again on loan.

In the summer of 2017, Provendel moved to Empoli for 1.2 million euros and stayed there until 2020, making a total of 39 appearances. On January 22, 2020, he moved to Juve Stabia, with whom he scored his first goal. On October 5, 2020, he signed a two-year contract with Spezia, staying until 2022 and playing 60 games.

The big transfer and the moment of his own recognition came on August 8, 2022, when he moved to Lazio in the Eternal City and has been their guardian angel ever since. In the most mature phase of his career, he is at his best and competing at the highest level.

His contract with Lazio Rome expires in the summer of 2027 and his market value is 12 million euros according to Transfermarkt.

Lazio gave him the highest honor of being called up to the Italian national team. On 17 September 2022, Provendel was part of Roberto Mancini’s squad for the UEFA Nations League matches against England and Hungary, although he has never played (he has five U20 international caps). It remains to be seen what else the future holds for him…