Maurizio Sarri looked for the positives after yesterday’s draining 0-0 draw between Torino and Lazio.
The Biancocelesti failed to break the deadlock at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino yesterday, putting in a strong defensive performance but failing to produce much of note up front. The defensive pairing of Patric and Alessio Romagnoli shined in front of Ivan Provedel, suggesting that Lazio have finally found some solidity at the back.
Speaking in a press conference (via LazioNews24), Sarri first reacted to Lazio’s draw with Torino, underlining his satisfaction with the team’s display.
I’m satisfied with the performance, but unhappy with the result. Everything went as we planned, we created chances, unfortunately we didn’t realise them, but we have the awareness of having played in a difficult stadium, against a team that seems to me stronger than last year.
The Italian coach looked to explain some tactical choices in the match.
We immediately looked for depth and tough balls came out, which meant physical duels. On a physical level they were stronger in the three duels.
Little work from the wings? They played a great game defensively, offensively they needed to cut in behind Ciro more.
He explained why he didn’t not to start either Marcos Antonio or Luis Alberto against the Granata.
Because I planned for this game, in the first half we needed more physicality, when they dropped I would’ve inserted quality, that’s what I did.
From the numbers we deserved to win, but watching the game I’d say that Torino also played the game well.
Sarri also discussed the game in an interview with Sky Sports Italia.
We’re going home with some regret, the stats tell me that the shots on target were six to one for us. We knew the game would be like this, especially in the first half-hour, knowing we would have to suffer.
Then once they dropped we could create. The game went the way we had prepared it, so we’re disappointed we didn’t score.
The Italian coach explained his substitutions and what they brought to the match.
We must not give responsibility to the guys, Cancellieri has played 10 games in Verona, he’s not from Milan.
They have to be inserted gradually, Cancellieri is useful for us in the final stages and Marcos and Luis Alberto came in at a time when the match was less physical. We made changes knowing that we put in players of the same level as those who came out
Finally, Sarri spoke about the battle against Torino in the midfield.
They played a game of suffering in the first half-hour, especially in the first press, which was difficult to overcome. In addition, we had to go down a lot on second balls because their goalkeeper was returning long balls.
It wasn’t an easy match for our midfielders but I’m quite satisfied, Vecino was in his first game and Milinkovic-Savic I see him in the same form as last year.
