Luis Alberto reflected on his time at Lazio, the work of the new signings so far and the team’s ups and downs this season.
The Biancocelesti are in an awkward spot heading into the return of Serie A after the November international break, sitting 10th in the table with 17 points, four behind fourth place Napoli.
Maurizio Sarri’s side have started to recover after the slow start to the campaign but still look less convincing than last season, leading to some concerns amongst supporters. Lazio still have a good chance of qualifying for the Round of 16 of the Champions League, sitting second in their group.
Speaking in an interview with Lazio Style Radio (via LazioNews24), Luis Alberto first discussed the team’s slow start to the season.
I’ve been here for many years, I know how things go. At the beginning of the season, we weren’t at the top, I thought we should be the more experienced ones to speak. Every year is a different season, this year we had many signings from abroad and we needed time.
The team has grown a lot, there have been games in which we haven’t been there. Now we see a different team, which has started to defend as the coach asks.
However, we need to look inside ourselves a bit, it’s clear that we need more goals from everyone, from the forwards to the midfielders. Matches must be won.
He touched on the Biancocelesti’s objectives this campaign.
We are confident, even if a tough schedule arrives without stopping until March. But we have to get it into our heads that we have to defend like in the last few games, trying to score more goals to find the points.
We are doing badly from a scoring point of view, but we are there in the table, by returning to scoring, Lazio will return to the European spots.
The Spanish midfielder was asked what was missing this term.
Us midfielders are also missing that movement a bit, even the coach is telling us that. The moment Ciro returns to 100%, he will give us everything he has given us in recent years, while Zaccagni must learn as best he can because he knows that with that movement he can do a lot of harm to his opponents.
Our play in these last two or three matches has also been penalized a bit, because the pitch sucks a bit, it was difficult from a technical point of view. The ball bounced too much, as if it were volleyball and not football. But for example, against Sassuolo we won with high pressure.
Luis Alberto reflected on his shot off the woodwork in the Derby della Capitale.
It was a difficult shot, with that direction it usually hits the post and goes in, but this time it wasn’t like that. It’s a shame, it wasn’t a normal match but a derby.
And that goal would have changed the match. You can’t always play the same game. We also need to attack depth and not always go one-on-one to create more difficulties for the opposing team.
He gave his thoughts on the new signings this season.
All players can play together. In Italy there’s much more tactics and perhaps it makes a difference compared to Europe. But Kamada is very intelligent, I like him, he attacks space, he has good technique.
But some players need time and others adapt sooner, like Guendouzi for example. We have signed strong players, as well as Rovella who has a great personality.
Finally, Luis Alberto discussed the different tactical options available to Sarri and Lazio.
Ciro has scored many goals, he is a striker. He needs space, he likes to stay in the area and take the balls and then attack the goal. Taty, on the other hand, also works outside the area with body-to-body shots and headers, at the service of the team.
Depending on the matches there is a need for changes, it is up to the coach to understand when to deploy the most suitable players. Ciro still hasn’t paid me any dinner for the assists I gave him.
Now we are in a moment that is fundamental for us in every match, to sort out the table and to close the issue of qualifying in the Champions League and going to the Round of 16.