Felipe Anderson expects a testing campaign for Lazio in the coming season, underlining the mentality needed for success in Rome.
The Biancocelesti surprised many by securing a second-place finish in Serie A last campaign, taking the club back to the Champions League after a few years out.
Felipe Anderson played an important role for Lazio across the season, scoring 12 goals and providing nine assists, but has now entered the last year of his contract and hasn’t agreed a new deal yet.
Speaking to Sky Sports Italia (via La Lazio Siamo Noi), Felipe Anderson first reflected on Lazio’s impressive work last season and the impact of that.
It’ll be a more difficult year because everyone will know our strength. We have to trust that we know we have to improve.
There is awareness of the work we have done and that has brought us to the top, so we’re starting from this certainty.
I have matured even more with good and bad experiences. Going abroad has helped me. When one is willing to learn, one will always grow.
He looked ahead to the difficulties facing the Biancocelesti in the coming campaign.
We know that every game we cannot afford to make mistakes, that must be our mentality. In all competitions we have to give 100%.
In the Champions League, more than the experience of the players, the experience of the squad matters. We know that in every match you cannot make mistakes, and this must be our mentality.
We have to continue from where we started. Humility, feet on the ground, spirit of sacrifice, team spirit. If it’s still like this, we will do great things this season too.
Finally, Felipe Anderson was asked about his possible contract renewal with Lazio.
I’m certainly very happy here, I don’t want to think about anything else. The head has to be here for the pre-season, it’s a big part of the whole season.
I don’t want to get distracted, we’ll talk about it later.
Lazio are keen to tie down Felipe Anderson to a new contract but negotiations have stalled in recent weeks. The club are expected to present a new offer in the near future and Maurizio Sarri does not want to lose the 30-year-old.
