Lazio Star Milinkovic-Savic: “I’ve Been Here for a Long Time & I Hope to Stay For a Long Time”

Lazio star Sergej Milinkovic-Savic is prepared for the switch to coach Maurizio Sarri’s 4-3-3 formation.

Speaking in an interview with Italian radio broadcaster Lazio Style Channel (via La Lazio Siamo Noi) earlier today, the 26-year-old Serbian midfielder first commented on the team’s work in the pre-season training camp in Auronzo di Cadore.

I feel good, we’ll see in the next few days, it will be intense training. I’m happy to be here, we’ve been at a standstill for a month and a half, I’ve missed this.

We’re working with the ball right now, something will change on the pitch because there will be a different formation, 4-3-3 instead of 3-5-2, I’ll follow Sarri’s instructions.

We’ll be playing more ground ball, I can’t wait to get started.

The Biancocelesti star touched on the importance of the switch to a 4-3-3 formation.

Something will change for me, but I’m ready to do what Sarri asks of me. With the 3-5-2 I did my best, but with a new formation I’ll see where I can improve.

The coach has told me that we’ll play a lot of ground ball. I’ll try to do my best, as I did before.

Milinkovic-Savic commented on how it felt to be a leader figure within the squad.

I’ve been here for seven years so it’s only natural that I feel like a bit of a leader. I try to help the young guys and the new guys. I’ve been here for a long time and I hope to stay for a long time.

Goal record? I’m trying!

The 26-year-old Serbian midfielder spoke about the importance of the fans and how much the players miss them.

We miss the fans, we hope they can come back to the stadium in the new year. In these 18 days of training camp, we’ll try to learn everything as soon as possible.

There will be a lot of changes, we started yesterday afternoon to get used to everything. I always make myself available to the coaches and give my best every year.

Finally, Milinkovic-Savic compared himself to former Napoli midfielder Marek Hamsik.

I’m definitely similar to him, but I have to work hard to reach his level.

The 26-year-old Milinkovic-Savic, who is contracted to the Roman club until 2024, made 32 Serie A appearances last season, for a total of 2755 minutes. In that time, he scored eight goals and provided 10 assists.

The player will be a core part of Sarri’s squad next season.


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Tags Auronzo di Cadore Biancocelesti Italy Lazio Maurizio Sarri Milinkovic-Savic Rome Sarri Sergej Milinkovic-Savic Serie A