Maurizio Sarri praised Lazio’s solidity in their win over Torino and was happy with new midfielders Nicolo Rovella and Daichi Kamada.
The Biancocelesti finally returned to winning ways against Ivan Juric’s side, taking home all three points thanks to goals from Matias Vecino and Mattia Zaccagni. It was a key result ahead of a tough period for Sarri’s side, where they’ll face Milan before taking on Celtic in the Champions League.
Lazio will be hoping to generate some consistency from this victory, needing to start making up for lost ground in Serie A after their poor start. The team currently sit 11th in the table with seven points, five behind fourth place Atalanta.
Speaking to Sky Sports Italia (via TMW), Sarri first discussed Lazio’s hard-fought win over Torino.
It was a difficult evening with many difficulties, not least that of facing a not easy team. We had an orderly first half and in the second half we put in the quality, it was a high-level match.
He spoke about the squad’s defensive solidity against Juric’s side.
They were a solid team. The backline was put under little pressure other than with dirty balls. The team allowed this solidity. After the first goal the guys then loosened up also from a competitive point of view.
The Lazio coach was asked about Kamada’s ability to charge into the penalty area and the qualities of his midfield in general.
Kamada also has that characteristic. Then again, he doesn’t have the physicality of Vecino, but today it was an attempt to find a midfield that would give greater solidity to the team.
When the team works it becomes easier to give credit to some. I think that with today’s attitude, whoever had played, the team would’ve been solid.
I’m happy with Vecino and Rovella’s debut from the first minute because he played a high-level match. He’s finding the right condition and we’re seeing the fruits of this growth condition.
He was impressed with Kamada’s quick adaption to life in Italy.
Kamada played almost all the time. He was out of the previous match against Monza because he had suffered a blow to his knee, and it was decided not to let him play.
Tonight was an attempt to counteract the physicality of the opponents. Kamada is most likely the one best placed in level of play.
It remains to be seen whether the Kamada-Luis Alberto duo can play in certain matches.
Finally, Sarri was asked how long it would take for Kamada to be fully integrated into the system.
I don’t know. Against Atletico we played a good match with him and Luis Alberto, but Vecino was at the top. It’s not an easy midfield to support but let’s see. We did it with Luis and Milinkovic-Savic and little by little we got there, so we’ll do it with them too.
