Lazio star Luis Alberto did not play in yesterday’s pre-season friendly against FC Twente due to a muscle strain.
As reported by Italian media outlet LazioNews24 earlier today, the 28-year-old Spaniard’s absence in yesterday’s 1-0 friendly win over Twente was a surprise, with many expecting coach Maurizio Sarri to start his preferred players ahead of the start of the season.
Jean-Daniel Akpa Akpro was brought in to replace Luis Alberto, although he himself was taken off at half-time due to an injury.
Luis Alberto didn’t feature in the second half either, but this wasn’t a tactical or disciplinary decision – instead Sarri and the Lazio staff didn’t want to risk exacerbating his injury.
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The 28-year-old Spanish midfielder is set to be a core part of Sarri’s squad next season, alongside Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and possibly Bordeaux’s Toma Basic.
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Luis Alberto scored nine goals and provided two assists in 34 Serie A appearances last season.
