Nicolò Rovella


Nicolò Rovella is an Italian professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for club Lazio and the Italy national team.
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Club career

Early career and Genoa

Rovella started playing football at Accademia Inter, where he won a Gothia Cup, before moving to Alcione in 2014. In summer 2017, Rovella joined Genoa, where he immediately won the Carlin's Boys youth tournament.
Coming through the youth ranks of the club, Rovella made his professional debut with Genoa on 3 December 2019, replacing Francesco Cassata in the final minutes of a 3–2 Coppa Italia victory against Ascoli. He made his Serie A debut on 21 December 2019, aged 18, as a substitute for Filip Jagiełło in a 4–0 away defeat against Inter Milan. On 25 July 2020, Rovella made his first start for Genoa in a 3–0 home defeat against Inter.
Rovella gained more playing time and started during the 2020–21 season, establishing himself in Genoa's central midfield as he helped the Rossoblù stay in the Serie A.

Later career

On 29 January 2021, Juventus announced the signing of Rovella on a three-and-a-half-year contract for €18 million, plus a maximum of €20 million in performance-related bonuses. He remained in Genoa on loan until the end of the 2021–22 season, with Manolo Portanova and Elia Petrelli being traded by the club in permanent moves as well. After returning to Juventus from his loan to Genoa, Rovella made his Bianconeri debut on 15 August 2022, replacing Manuel Locatelli in a home victory against Sassuolo in the first matchday of the 2022–23 Serie A.
On 31 August 2022, Rovella joined newly-promoted Serie A club Monza on a-year loan. He made his debut on 5 September, starting in a 2–0 league defeat against Atalanta. On 16 August 2023, Lazio announced the signing of Rovella from Juventus on a two-year loan with a conditional obligation to buy.

International career

Youth

On 12 November 2020, Rovella debuted for the under-21 team, playing as a starter in a European Championship qualifying match against Iceland in Reykjavík, in which Azzurrini won 2–1. He was subsequently included in the squad that took part in the 2021 European Championship in Slovenia and Hungary. However, Rovella got sent off after receiving a double yellow card in the second group stage match against Spain, as Italy was eventually eliminated from the tournament in the quarter-finals, after a 5–3 loss to Portugal.
Rovella was confirmed in the following cycle of the under-21 national team, as he scored his first goal for the Azzurrini on 29 March 2022, netting the lone goal of a 1–0 victory against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification.

Senior

On 8 November 2024, coach Luciano Spalletti included Rovella in the Italy first team squad for the upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures against Belgium and France. The same year on 14 November, he debuted in a 1–0 victory against the former opponent by playing 79 minutes.

Style of play

Rovella is a well-rounded, right-footed and versatile midfielder, who can play as a mezzala, playmaker, or attacking midfielder. His biggest strengths are his first touch, his vision, his passing range and his tactical intelligence. Rovella is also regarded for his elegant style of play and his charisma.

Honours

Italy U17