Piacenza Defender Alessio Rizza: “It Was Always Clear That Inter Midfielder Kristjan Asllani Was A Great Player, He Deserves Everything He Has Earned”

Piacenza defender Alessio Rizza has praised Inter midfielder Kristjan Asllani, having come through the youth system at Empoli alongside him.

Asllani joined Inter from Empoli on an initial loan in the summer after impressing in Serie A last season, and has featured seven times for the Nerazzurri under coach Simone Inzaghi this term, whilst Rizza has also moved on loan to Serie C club Piacenza.

In an interview with La Casa di C, the defender offered his thoughts on the progress of Asllani at Inter, and suggested that the Albania international had always shown the quality to make the step up to a big team in Serie A.

“Kristjan has always had great qualities. when he was young and played at Empoli, you could see that he was very strong,” Rizza claimed.

“He is a humble guy with his head firmly on his shoulders, he deserves what he has now.”

Rizza also recalled his call up to the Empoli first team under former coach Aurelio Andreazzoli, as he was named amongst the substitutes at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza to face Inter in the Coppa Italia.

“When Andreazzoli called me up for the match against Inter it was an indescribable emotion,” he added.

“I was at the San Siro many times, but only in the stands. I never thought I’d get on the pitch. It’s just a shame about the restrictions of the pandemic. Once I got to the San Siro pitch, it seemed infinite.”

Asllani has made seven appearances for the Albanian national team, scoring once.