Maurizio Sarri underlined the maturity shown by Lazio in their thrilling 4-3 comeback win over Spezia yesterday.
The Biancocelesti fell behind three times in the match but a late winner by Francesco Acerbi secured all three points for Sarri’s side, a key result as the race for fifth with intercity rivals Roma goes down to the wire.
Speaking in a press conference (via La Lazio Siamo Noi) after the game, Sarri first discussed if this was a crazy Lazio side.
I always feel the same confidence. The results of the last eight games we hadn’t done before. It’s clear that in 20 days we have to be happy. The placements in Europe and not talked about.
We played the most polished game of the whole season. After two screw-ups, we came back playing our own football, it’s a sign of great maturity.
We made two bad mistakes from an individual point of view, but it ended up ten shots on target to three. It’s our fault for keeping the result in the balance.
The Lazio coach touched on what still needs to be improved.
I saw two technical mistakes. A team with a lack of concentration can’t play a game like tonight. We always put in a few episodes like that.
A point against Milan would have been useful and instead there was the mistake.
He commented on the importance of Acerbi’s late winner.
An extremely positive aspect, which wasn’t always there. A mistake could have plunged us into the abyss, but we were always clear-headed and tried to overturn the result.
Sarri had sympathy for Acerbi, who has suffered a complete relationship breakdown with the fans this season.
His team-mates were cheering at him. I don’t understand the controversy, I see him every day, he applies himself and works hard. I hope it will end.
The Lazio coach spoke about the importance of the travelling supporters.
I didn’t expect the visitors’ sector to be so full and active. When they’re there and make themselves heard it’s different, there’s no doubt about that.
He tried to explain the goals that Lazio conceded to Spezia yesterday.
A manpower problem? I don’t know. There are certain games when we look solid, but we put something of our own into them.
It may be that our way of playing causes us to concede a few goals. But that’s never happened to me with other teams, it’s a new experience for me too. We’ve worked hard on it. I’ve conceded fewer goals but we can’t be happy.
Finally, Sarri once again discussed his possible contract renewal and what has happened between Christmas and now.
Ask Lotito, I don’t know. There have been meetings but nothing has been formalised. It’s not even something urgent, I have a contract. I wanted to do two years, he wanted three.
