Lazio defender Francesco Acerbi found the positives in the team’s 2-2 draw against Atalanta yesterday.
Speaking first in an interview with Italian broadcaster DAZN (via LazioNews24) after the game, the 33-year-old Italian defender first discussed the late equaliser scored by the Nerazzurri.
Always when you concede goal you can manage the situation better, fair draw, they started very well, we held our own, we had our chances, the mentality, the approach, to help each other today we got it.
Sorry for the result.
The Lazio defender touched on the difference between preparing for games like the one against Atalanta and games against other teams.
These are games that prepare themselves, the others are games that require a different approach.
We worked on the concepts where we have struggled a bit, today was the test of maturity.
Until now in the away games we had not only lost but lost badly, today we played well and gave an answer.
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He commented on the squad’s approach and the requests of coach Maurizio Sarri.
Sarri wants us to be very compact, we have to suffer but it’s more of a mental effort than a physical one.
We got used to our way of playing with Inzaghi, and now we have to get used to this new type of way of playing.
Today, like in the derby, like against Fiorentina, there was a willingness to sacrifice, a willingness to help everyone.
We must always have this mentality if we want to aim for the top. We have to play our game without thinking about who we’re playing against.
Acerbi then discussed the 2-2 draw against Atalanta in an interview with Italian radio broadcaster Lazio Style Radio.
They are very good players, even the first goal Marusic held his own. Zapata had a great game, but so did we.
They are a great team, but we have nothing to envy. It’s a shame about the result, but if this is the way we’re going, we’ll get great satisfaction.
He spoke about the growing attitude and application in the squad.
The mentality has changed, the one that the coach has been asking for since the beginning of the training camp and that we have always lacked, a great approach with the big teams, less so with the others.
We have to think we’re always facing someone big. We have to do well against all teams.
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The 33-year-old Italian defender looked ahead to the next match against Olympique Marseille.
A very good team, if you go there and think you’re good, you concede 6.
Today, without the right mentality, it wouldn’t have ended like that. If you are humble, things are always easier.
He touched on his performance in the match against Gian Piero Gasperini’s side.
I was calm, I knew I was going to struggle a bit, but I always gave as much as I could. I never gave up, I knew that sooner or later I would be calmer to play, to be less rigid.
Since a couple of games I’m a bit more free, the performance has gone up and I hope to continue like this.
Finally, Acerbi discussed star striker Ciro Immobile’s record-breaking goal in the match.
I congratulate him on the record, but he has to score a lot of goals for us.
He is an extraordinary player and person, I wish him another 150 goals with Lazio and to take us to the top.
The 33-year-old Acerbi has made nine Serie A appearances so far this season, for a total of 796 minutes. In that time, he has provided one assist.