Maurizio Sarri was not impressed with the quality of officiating on display in Lazio’s 2-1 loss to Napoli this weekend.
The Biancocelesti took an early lead thank to Mattia Zaccagni, but a Kim Min-Jae equaliser ensured that the two teams went into the half time break level. In the second half, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia proved the difference maker as Napoli ran away 2-1 winners, leaving Lazio dejected.
Speaking in a press conference (via La Lazio Siamo Noi), Sarri first discussed if Lazio had received too many yellow cards and how he felt about the quality of refereeing this season.
The fact that we’re a pain in the referee’s arse this year is obvious. They told us so even after Bologna. We’re one of the least dirty teams in Serie A. We came out with everyone booked, disturbing the referee’s direction and that of VAR.
Napoli are a great team and can beat anyone, they could still win. We became too wait-and-see after the goal we conceded, moments that changed the result have obvious culprits. Rocchi must intervene.
He highlighted the qualities of Luciano Spalletti’s Napoli.
Napoli’s qualities are very important, they’re the most technical team in the league. When there are continuous actions they’re a constant risk.
We had to cover the ball without allowing them in, after twenty minutes we were waiting for them too deep, it’s a question of centre of gravity.
The Italian coach was uninterested in Spalletti’s praise of the referee Simone Sozza.
If he had refereed on the other side I would’ve been very happy, it’s normal for Spalletti to be happy.
I don’t know, the violence of the contact has to be assessed by the referee. But there’s little to assess, it’s a blatant mistake by the referee.
VAR was invented for this. If I were the president, tomorrow I would want an immediate confrontation with Rocchi.
Finally, Sarri commented on the decision to play Luis Alberto in the left mezzala role against Napoli.
Luis Alberto was there because I was afraid of Napoli’s dribbling, I wanted to raise the quality of our game.
If they put us in the last thirty metres you get into trouble anyway, we wanted to have more of the ball. Lowering the centre of gravity was our mistake.
Lazio are looking to bounce back from this frustrating defeat in their upcoming Europa League opener against Feyenoord on Thursday. Their next Serie A game is against Hellas Verona on 11th September.
