Maurizio Sarri felt that Lazio were still a step or two away from the top Serie A teams ahead of tonight’s tough clash against Milan.
The 63-year-old Italian coach has almost finished his first season in charge of the Biancocelesti, a campaign which has been characterised by ups and downs. Despite the slow start, things are starting to heat up now in Rome and there is excitement growing for his project, assuming that things don’t collapse during the summer transfer window.
Speaking in a press conference (via La Lazio Siamo Noi) yesterday, Sarri first discussed how Lazio failed to score against Milan in their previous two meetings.
Milan are strong, without making too many tactical considerations. They concede little goals, it’s part of normality unfortunately. Until a few months ago the gap was clear, we’re trying to close it down.
He touched on how much regret he feels regarding the draw with Torino.
You can’t see situations from match to match. In the last 12 games Lazio have scored 24 points, in the last 6 games the points have been 13, we are giving important signs of growth.
Toro are difficult to face, we made some mistakes, we didn’t have the right distances. Torino drew against Milan and Juve, so they can do the same against us.
The Lazio coach spoke about what kind of match he expects against the Rossoneri.
I expect it to be different from the others, at the end of the first half we ruined both games with Milan.
They’re a team that has these characteristics, they can hurt you even if they’re not dominating, of course I hope to see a different match.
Sarri discussed what kind of week it’s been in the Lazio environment. A flu outbreak left a number of players unwell, although most have now returned.
A very difficult week, these situations create difficulties for you, you think more about who you can recover than preparing for it.
All these influences are difficult to deal with, let’s see who we recover, then with who I have available we’ll prepare it.
He touched on his goal for the season now.
I’m aiming for a place in Europe until the end.
The 63-year-old Italian coach did not want to consider the possibility that the end of the season will affect his future.
I can’t be affected by the end of the season, the future can be influenced by a thousand factors. I can only be affected by what the president says.
Sarri touched on the useless of contracts in football. His possible extension has been a hot topic all season, but pen hasn’t been put to paper yet.
In football, contracts are useless. I can have a 10-year contract, but if I’m no longer in tune with the programmes and the environment I can still leave.
On the contrary, I can have no contract but be sure to stay. The contract is the last thing that interests me.
He spoke about the importance of tonight’s game.
There are five games left, all of them are reasons for risk and opportunity. Losing points now is problematic, we must collect as many points as possible.
He gave his thoughts on the ultras’ decision to protest the match due to the high ticket prices.
I don’t think it affects the team, the lack of support at the stadium perhaps does. But few or many have always helped us.
We don’t know the details of the protests, they are situations that perhaps start from afar, I don’t have enough information to give an opinion.
We are interested in the support of those who will be at the stadium. For us it’s important to be supported during the game. Maybe criticised at the end, but supported during the game.
Sarri discussed the physical condition of star midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.
Yesterday he did everything with us, he seemed to be in the best shape among those affected by the flu.
But I’ve seen relapses, people with a fever who then got over it. I don’t know who will be able to play or not until tomorrow.
The 63-year-old Italian coach touched on what Lazio are missing compared to the top teams in Italy.
We lack the pace to become strong, for now we haven’t been, at least in the top flight.
It’s a ten-year problem, in the last 7-8 years there were no Inter and Milan, and Lazio only made the Champions League once.
Now it’s more complicated, it’s a ten-year problem, not a three-month problem.
He highlighted that the final position in the league table didn’t impact his considerations much.
I’ve always said that it would be more worrying to finish fifth without the feeling of having built something than to finish eighth after having built something. The end of the season will be determined by moments, so I care relatively little.
Finally, Sarri discussed Mattia Zaccagni’s current form following a strong start to 2022.
I don’t think anything has changed, in a season a player can perform a little less for some stretches, it’s normal.
It seems that physically it’s impossible to be at the top for more than 20 days, we play a sport where you can’t bet on a single event.
We have 50 events to fulfil, which are the matches. Some of them you get to the top, others less so.
