Lazio president Claudio Lotito sent a message to Igor Tudor’s squad and underlined his goals for a stable future at the club.
The Biancocelesti have started a new project under the Croatian coach and are building towards the summer transfer window, where some sweeping changes are expected in the squad. Long-term regulars like Ciro Immobile and Luis Alberto are expected to depart, making space for fresh blood.
Lotito is not known for investing too heavily in the transfer market, so the expectation is that players will need to be sold to generate resources for much-needed reinforcements, leaving things uncertain heading into the summer.
Speaking at the ‘Due bambini e uno sogno’ event (via La Lazio Siamo Noi), Lotito first sent a message to the Lazio squad.
I tell the players that they have the opportunity to train in an exceptional place, after which you go on the pitch and are young men? You should eat grass from morning to night! This is if you have the values of sport.
When we were winning the Scudetto, at the beginning of the season I had seen that the situation wasn’t the best and speaking to the coach I told him that every victory I would pay him a bonus. In September they received January’s salaries.
This time that didn’t work either, so there must be something related to the psychological aspect. They were emotionally involved, we had the right attitude to win and they didn’t just have the potential.
The teams that win are the ones that take to the field with a knife between their teeth, this is what the people want, to take to the field and give everything.
If you have a spirit of sacrifice and unity you win, putting rivalries aside and, indeed, using them to create chemistry.
Today, Lazio, beyond the position in the standings which we hope will improve, need the affection of the fans.
He discussed his goal for a stable future at the Biancocelesti.
Unfortunately, everyone complains but today Lazio have no problems and peace of mind about the future, there are teams that have a different situation.
Today we have a real estate asset of €250 million and it has never happened before, we have a series of activities, we are fixing communication with cutting-edge television and radio studios.
We are building a stable, strong future, then it is the people who take the field, not the president. If they took the field with my determination, they would probably be able to achieve further results.
Passion must be combined with commitment and a sense of belonging. We must be proud of being Lazio and different, not in an offensive sense.
Finally, Lotito spoke about what it means to be a Laziali.
Our history is made up of a moral body and values. In the First World War my predecessor donated the training field to create war gardens. We have in our DNA a different history from others, we must be aware of it and proud.
Also, because the Lazio players disappear when there are difficulties. This spirit of solidarity must be used with a constructive spirit. Roma fans always say that they love each other and not us, here we always discuss.
Instead, let’s try to be proactive, because without the fans we can’t go anywhere. The fans serve to make those who go on the pitch responsible and must understand that they have 50,000 people who can take them to their goals.
Riches or rags, they must understand that they’re responsible for the joys and sorrows of many people.