Lazio full-back Manuel Lazzari highlighted his desire to impress in coach Maurizio Sarri’s 4-3-3 system.
Speaking in an interview with Italian broadcaster Lazio Style Channel (via La Lazio Siamo Noi) earlier today, the 27-year-old Italian full-back discussed the team’s pre-season preparations in Auronzo di Cadore so far.
It’s going well, we were happy to start again with the new coach who has brought fresh air with the change of formation, we are excited and happy.
This is my third year, compared to other years it’s completely different, starting with the physical work but also with the work on the pitch, there’s a lot to work on in the defensive phase with the four-man defence, we follow the coach and his ideas, we’ll continue like this.
He commented on his performances in the athletic tests and if he comes first.
Take that off me too! I’m committed to the four-man defence, from an athletic point of view I’ve never had any problems.
Lazzari spoke a little more about the switch to a four-man defence, a departure from previous coach Simone Inzaghi’s 3-5-2 system.
I’ve heard a lot of things about not being able to play in the back four, I didn’t listen to anyone, I was happy with Sarri’s arrival, I want to put myself to the test, I can easily do it as I did in the national team and at SPAL.
Sarri has his ideas, we want to follow him and try to put his ideas into play. This week is going well, apart from the first few days because everything was new, we’re integrating and I’m enjoying it.
As soon as I arrived at Formello I spoke to the coach, I couldn’t wait to do a year with the four-man defence, I want to learn a new role with Sarri’s ideas because it’s different with him.
Playing in a four-man defence in the league and in Europe will give me more chances in the national team, it will depend on me, on how I react and on how I play with Lazio.
The 27-year-old Italian expressed his joy at Ciro Immobile, Francesco Acerbi and the Azzurri’s successful Euro 2020 campaign.
I wrote to Ciro but he changed his number and didn’t read it.
I’m very happy for them, I was very tense during the final and I went to my room, there were too many whispers. I hope to see them again soon.
The former SPAL full-back commented on yesterday’s afternoon break, with the squad finishing their work at lunchtime.
We needed half a day off because we’re putting in a lot of physical effort, we’ve recharged and this morning we got off to a great start.
For the season I expect a lot from myself, the fans expect a lot from this Lazio side, we’ll play a different kind of football, fun and attacking. The sooner we adapt to Sarri, the sooner we’ll have fun.
Lazzari did not think that he would be playing further up the wing in Sarri’s 4-3-3.
I don’t think that’s my thing, I’ve spoken to the coach about it, he thinks the same as me, I need the pitch to attack the space.
I’ll have to be good at working with the line on the defensive end, but there are no problems on the offensive end.
The 27-year-old Italian full-back commented on the return of Brazilian winger Felipe Anderson.
I’ve got to know him over the last few days, he’s fantastic, he has incredible qualities and he’ll give us a big hand. Whoever plays behind him will have to cover for him.
Finally, Lazzari discussed how happy he was working with the new coach, who most previously was in charge of Juventus.
I am looking forward to my year at right-back in a four-man defence, so in Sarri’s attacking style of football we’ll have a lot of fun, but you have to work well in defence and run back at the right time.
Sarri has clear ideas, he knows what needs to be done to make the football he wants. We’re following him and we’re speeding up our learning curve, we’ll continue like this
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