Lazio coach Maurizio Sarri was happy with the team’s progress following their 2-0 win over Lokomotiv Moscow last night.
The 62-year-old Italian coach discussed the match with multiple Italian media outlets (via LazioNews24), starting with broadcaster Sky Sports Italia.
This has a team with characteristics that need to be enhanced. Then every environment has different responses. It’s not easy because the guys come from a different way of playing.
In the last two games we have improved from a technical point of view. Today we could have scored a lot more goals, but I’m happy that Basic and Patric scored.
He touched on the injury to captain Ciro Immobile.
We hope it’s just a small tendon problem and not something muscular. He however is convinced that he stopped in time.
He felt a discomfort in the knee area.
The Lazio coach commented on his decision to alternate the wingers a little on either side of the pitch.
The idea of alternating the wingers came from seeing them play, even though they both prefer to play on the left.
Sarri tried to close the controversy with Roma coach Jose Mourinho.
I respect Mourinho, but I don’t respond and I don’t participate in this pantomime.
He stood firm on his position regarding the poor scheduling of Lazio’s upcoming Serie A match against Bologna.
I don’t know how what has been said has anything to do with it. We play a League game and not in Europe. The question of 48 hours does not have any kind of feedback from a regulatory point of view.
They say that I don’t know the regulations, but they don’t know the rules that they issue. We could not play before Sunday. On Sunday we can play, but it’s a matter of common sense.
That would make the decision to have those who play on Thursday at least play in the afternoon. Making us play at 12:30 is a lack of protection for Lazio.
Sarri then discussed the win over Lokomotiv Moscow in an interview with Italian broadcaster DAZN.
We could have closed the game out earlier so we could have saved more energy.
We handled it quite easily but it’s a costly game 60 hours before the next one.
He touched on the team’s slightly shaky moments.
At times we give the feeling of being a bit shaky but it depends on my demands.
We do a lot of dribbling, it’s normal not to be very concrete.
The Lazio coach spoke about the condition of Immobile following his injury.
Immobile told me he is feeling pretty good but we don’t have much feedback.
We hope it’s a tendon issue but we have to evaluate tomorrow.
Sarri discussed the team’s growth in the last two games.
From two games we have been much better at moving the ball, from a tactical point of view we were well set up on the pitch even before but we played poorly technically.
In the last two games we’ve improved and this way we can entertain those who watch us.
He refused to stoke the fire between himself and Mourinho following the Derby della Capitale.
I didn’t feel defined by anyone because I don’t watch anything. It all passes over me, I don’t want to make these plays.
I have respect for Mourinho and I even like him, he has these ideas and he should keep them.
Sarri commented on the Europa League group in an interview with Italian radio broadcaster Lazio Style Radio.
The group is difficult, the most complex of the Europa League. We knew that the outcome would be in the balance until the last day.
We’re pleased to be back in the thick of the group standings, but it will be long and tough.
He highlighted the team’s recent growth following their run of poor form.
In the last two games we’ve grown a lot in terms of ball movement. Today we were very good at coming out from the back, moving the opponent to one side and then changing the game.
The 62-year-old Italian coach gave his thoughts on Spanish defender Patric.
He is a player who has aggression, focus and good quality passes from the back. If needed, you can also play wide, but I see him more in the central defensive role.
I think he is making a good path, he is surprising me.
The former Napoli coach spoke about wingers Pedro and Felipe Anderson.
We had to win at all costs, I didn’t want to burden Raul Moro with too much responsibility and so I confirmed the wingers of Sunday who are experiencing a good moment of psycho-physical condition.
Sarri gave his thoughts on Lazio’s performance in the Europa League win.
I’m satisfied with the performance, but perhaps regretful for the result because the pitch made it clear that we could have scored a few more goals.
I have to put all the players in condition without giving up their characteristics. I’m satisfied with the team, I said it a week ago.
We have grown a lot in the movement of the ball and we are making fewer mistakes. The number of passes has increased, but we weren’t in bad shape before either.
He commented on Immobile’s injury.
The impression is that it’s a minor injury, but we’ll have to wait until tomorrow morning to be sure.
Finally, Sarri discussed Croatian midfielder Toma Basic, who has hardly featured since his arrival from Bordeaux in the summer transfer window.
Amazing. He comes from a completely different league to ours and has integrated without any problems.
It’s surprising that he’s already at this point, even though he’s shown himself to be very mature for his age. There’s plenty of room for improvement.
