Lazio coach Maurizio Sarri is prepared for a tough and tiring match against Atalanta this afternoon.
Speaking to gathered reporters in a press conference (via LazioNews24) last night, the 62-year-old Italian coach first touched on the kind of match he expects against Atalanta today.
Against Fiorentina the possession was 50/50, sometimes the Viola forced us to defend. We go to Bergamo convinced to face a strong team, we will try as always to impose our game.
The objective is to have consistency, we must have it in the result and in the performance.
The Lazio coach spoke about the qualities of today’s opponents Atalanta.
Atalanta are a team that has great quality and they have improved a lot in dribbling. At the moment I see them as a complete team.
It is always difficult to play against them, they are very aggressive and we will have to use the same qualities.
Sarri discussed Serbian midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and his physical condition.
He had the best game of the season against Fiorentina, let’s see how he comes out of it and if he can make it for Saturday.
It’s the third game in 15 days and it’s not easy.
The 62-year-old Italian coach also commented on star striker Ciro Immobile.
Ciro has scored eight goals in nine games, he has a huge offensive dangerousness. There are games in which you have more chances and others in which there are fewer.
Against Fiorentina it was tough and he had fewer balls available, but this is part of normality.
He spoke about Lazio’s issues away from home this campaign.
We have to be good at playing like we do at home, with the same level of attention and determination. In the last few away games we haven’t been able to do that.
We have been too timid and with little personality.
We don’t always have good grounds, but the pitch is always the same. This is just a matter of mentality and approach.
Finally, Sarri discussed the state of the wingers in the squad and his ideas.
The players who can play in place of Pedro and Felipe Anderson are few, we can adapt someone for a match but there isn’t aren’t many options.
Romero and Raul Moro are young and promising, but they cannot be burdened with too many responsibilities. They can become strong players, but now they have to be used to game time.
Atalanta currently sit fifth in the Serie A table after the opening 10 games, with 18 points. The Bergamo based side have one more point than Lazio, so today’s game could be key in the fight for a top four finish.
Gian Piero Gasperini’s side won their last match against Sampdoria 3-1, and before that they drew with Udinese 1-1.
