Lazio Coach Sarri: “We Are Being Drained of Energy at All Levels”

Conferenza stampa pre gara Empoli v Lazio Maurizio Sarri Roma, 20 Agosto 2021 © Marco Rosi / Fotonotizia

Lazio coach Maurizio Sarri was furious with the incredibly busy schedule ahead of tonight’s match against Atalanta.

Speaking to gathered reporters in a press conference (via Gianluca Di Marzio) yesterday, the 63-year-old Italian coach first discussed tonight’s game against la Dea and the team’s chances of qualifying for the Champions League this season.

We showed really good solidity against Salernitana and Udinese. But Atalanta will be a different story, we’re playing against a team with huge attacking potential.

The margin for error is much smaller. I don’t know if we’ll have a chance of qualifying for the Champions League. Right now we’re interested in continuing the growth that’s going on.

The Lazio coach commented on his long history with Gian Piero Gasperini, with the pair having faced each other for the last 17 years.

We have both changed a lot, and this is an absolutely natural situation. In football and in life 17 or 20 years is a long time. People change, there are no solutions.

He expressed his anger at the busy schedule and the impact it has on the players.

We are being drained of energy at all levels, national, European and international. They’re holding a 60-team World Cup in winter, they’re removing the away goal rule, giving more room for extra time, increasing the number of games.

All this is exacerbated by the hypocrisy of putting in place financial fair play and blocking lists, at least they would let us sign 30 players, if we have to play so much.

Finally, Sarri spoke about Brazilian defender Luiz Felipe, whose contract expires with the club at the end of the season.

I don’t know if he will stay, but I know that the club is doing everything to keep him. The guy’s performances are growing from game to game and, to be honest, he gives us the idea that he can still grow.

Lazio currently sit 8th in the Serie A table after 22 games, seven points behind 4th place Atalanta. They have won three of their last five league outings, drawing one and losing the other. The last meeting between these two teams this season ended 2-2 in Bergamo.

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