Maurizio Sarri was very satisfied with the mental energy shown by Lazio in their 1-0 win over Monza.
The Biancocelesti were on a high coming into the clash against Raffaele Palladino’s side, having secured a fiery win over Roma in the Derby della Capitale on the weekend. Whilst Lazio did look tired, they performed well at the Stadio Olimpico and did enough to secure all three points thanks to a Luka Romero winner.
Speaking in a press conference (via LazioNews24), Sarri first reacted to Lazio’s win over Monza.
On a mental level this was the most difficult match, we were coming from the derby and the risk of low energy was very high. The first half-hour we suffered, then slowly we came out and won it.
The league table doesn’t matter now, we aren’t looking at it. It gives us hope that we won a game that we would not have won last year.
He spoke about the decision to bring on Ciro Immobile and what he told the team at half time.
Immobile was distracted, he didn’t realise we only had one change left and I don’t play for anyone with 20 minutes to go. You have to wait for a piece of the game where you won’t risk being 10.
On a tactical level I told my players that we were always in the middle between the third and fifth, we were missing a few metres.
From other points of view I told them that this was a game where we had to have humility because Monza dribbles and in some moments you have to stay there and defend. The appeal was for application.
The 63-year-old Italian coach spoke about Luka Romero’s debut goal for the club and his growth since his promotion to the first team.
Romero also went on the pitch when he was 16 years old, last year he did bits and pieces. I don’t talk about him much because he’s improving well but it’s a moment in his career where the less said about him the better.
He doesn’t have to feel like a player for a goal, but he has the right head and I think he can make the right path.
He gave his thoughts on Lazio’s potential.
The potential must be expressed. Lazio have it but they haven’t expressed it yet. We’re a step below the teams I’ve coached before but we have the potential to grow.
Finally, Sarri looked ahead to Lazio’s final match before the World Cup break against Juventus.
Right now I only think it’s an important game, to think it could already be decisive is an exaggeration.
The league table now is tight, with 23 games it’s still all to be determined unless Napoli continue like this and at that point only the Champions League fight would remain open.
