Lazio midfielder Lucas Leiva touched on the hard work that the squad is doing in Auronzo di Cadore with new coach Maurizio Sarri.
Speaking to gathered reporters in a press conference (via LazioNews24) earlier today, the 34-year-old Brazilian first discussed the climate in the pre-season training camp.
We have to work a lot, more now with a coach with new ideas. But our group is humble and willing to learn and we’re doing well.
It’s still too early to judge, but we want to do what the coach says every day.
The former Liverpool man touched on his difficult season last campaign and his current physical condition.
Last year I had few physical problems. It’s true that I missed the training camp because of the operation, but this chance to start now helps me.
I’m fine, last year was difficult for the group and for me too, but I’ve recovered.
The role is important, with my experience I try to speak, help, understand as soon as possible to help the team.
He highlighted that he was not a spokesman in the squad.
No, we’re all learning, understanding the movements and tactics. A new system after four years, we’re trying to understand as soon as possible to start with clear ideas.
Leiva spoke about Spanish midfielder Luis Alberto, who arrived a week later to Auronzo than his teammates.
He’s working well like everyone else, as a group we just have to help our teammates if they need help. If he’s doing well or not, I think he is, we’ll have to ask him.
The 34-year-old Brazilian midfielder discussed his role in Maurizio Sarri’s 4-3-3 system.
Different football, different pressure, lines in the middle of the pitch. We still have to learn how to work as a team, but we have to keep working.
Day after day the physical aspect improves, the tactics too. We need patience, the group is willing and we can do great things.
I’ve had the opportunity to work with many coaches with different characteristics. I can improve a lot in other things, like dribbling.
I have to learn like everyone else, but I’m not worried. There’s great motivation.
He commented on the team’s goals for next season and how the training camp is progressing.
We’re on the tenth day of training camp, it’s hard to say where we’re starting from.
Everything is new, the sooner we adapt to what the coach is asking us to do, the sooner we can get some important points.
The path we’re on is the right one. My aim is to have a good season, to help the team, to play as much as possible. Then at the end we’ll see what happens.
Finally, Leiva discussed the return of Brazilian winger Felipe Anderson, who re-signed for Lazio three years after leaving for West Ham.
It seems like he never left. He knows everyone.
From the first minute he adapted immediately and I see him with a great desire to resume his career, because it was a difficult year, but he’s loaded to show himself again.
Leiva made 32 Serie A appearances last season for a total of 2157 minutes. His contract expires with the Roman club next year in 2022.
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