Maurizio Sarri was satisfied with his Lazio’s hard work in their 1-0 win over Sampdoria, highlighting the fatigue after the recent Conference League outings.
The Biancocelesti beat CFR Cluj 1-0 on aggregate over two legs in the play-offs of the Conference League, booking their spot in the Round of 16, where they’ll face AZ Alkmaar.
A number of players have been dealing with slight physical issues over the last few weeks, but they gritted their teeth and remained focused as they hosted the Blucerchiati, securing a 1-0 win.
Speaking to DAZN (via TMW) after the win, Sarri first discussed Lazio’s work against Sampdoria and the pitfalls of the Ligurian side.
We had many players who weren’t at their best physically, who we had to recover a bit early. It was predictable that we might lack something from this point of view, but the team were tough.
They’re always difficult matches, looking at the table we don’t realise it but 80% of Samp’s points have come from away matches.
In the last few games no one has put them in trouble, so I was expecting a complicated game.
He touched on the strong performance of Luis Alberto and the Spaniard’s growth this season.
He struggled at the beginning to accept what I was asking of him, then at a certain point I saw a fierce change of approach in training that led him to a series of great performances.
Today Luis Alberto is a very important player. Tactically he is also very intelligent, when I ask him something he understands very quickly, even if at a certain time he pretended not to understand.
The 64-year-old Italian coach commented on the development of defender Nicolo Casale, who arrived last summer.
Let’s not talk about him too much or else he’ll be called up for the national team! He still needs a bit of work, but the road is the right one.
He has technique, physique and acceleration. In the first few months he struggled to get into the system, but now the situation has changed.
He gave his thoughts on the success of Luciano Spalletti’s Napoli this season.
They make an impression with how strong they are. This is the reward for the policy of courage Giuntoli had in the summer.
Finally, Sarri was asked about any similarities between his Napoli and the Partenopei of today.
Perhaps this Napoli has more physicality and a deeper squad than mine.
