Lazio head coach Maurizio Sarri previewed Wednesday’s Coppa Italia tie against Atalanta, while taking the opportunity to send some subtle messages to the management.
The Background
The Biancocelesti are on a four-match winless skid in Serie A that saw them drop to 11th place in the table. Nevertheless, the club has at least found success in the domestic cup thus far, eliminating AC Milan and Bologna en route to the semi-final.
Maurizio Sarri Previews Lazio vs Atalanta
On Wednesday, Lazio will host Atalanta in the first leg of what should be a tough double header for the out-of-sorts team. Ahead of the all-important clash, Sarri decided to change his habit by holding a pre-match press conference (via Il Messaggero).
Sarri on ‘Year Zero’ & Patience
The 67-year-old was first asked about the ‘Year Zero’ comment he made a few weeks back. The manager feels he has done his fair share by remaining patient and tolerant, while urging others to follow suit, in what could be a message for club president Claudio Lotito and the rest of the hierarchy.
It was clear from the outset, as the club said so. This was the situation and patience was needed. I’ve shown plenty. It would be nice if everyone did the same.
Lazio Future Won’t Depend on Coppa Italia Outcome
Sarri also tried to belittle the importance of the match against Atalanta, as he doesn’t think it will impact the club’s future.
For the future it doesn’t carry huge weight. Next season has to be ‘year one.’ Tomorrow we face a very difficult tie, especially over two legs, against the only Italian team still in the Champions League. We need pride — we knocked out last year’s two finalists. We need enthusiasm.
I spoke with the sporting director half an hour ago. Planning will be done by the club — nothing has changed so far. It’s hard to plan now, I don’t know who will be on the market.
Sarri Opens up on Torino Defeat
The Tuscan tactician admitted his responsibility for Lazio’s woeful display against Torino on Sunday.
If we saw a sad team on Sunday, the responsibility lies with everyone, myself included. We were drained, unexpectedly so. We had played three excellent games in a week at a good level.
The drop in nervous energy in Turin caught me off guard. Tomorrow will tell us if our minds were already on the Coppa Italia. I’ve coached teams that earned 91 points and then lost 3-0 in Udine.
Why Atalanta Have The Upper Hand Over Lazio
Sarri explains that Atalanta have a major advantage over Lazio in terms of quality because of their more advanced project.
In Bergamo they’ve built a project over ten years, constantly in Europe, often in the Champions League, able to invest at a different level. Now they can afford top players. The gap could widen — that’s normal.
Lazio must invest with the aim of returning to Europe consistently.
Updates on Gila, Pedro & Basic
The Biancocelesti might be able to rely on Mario Gila and Pedro on Wednesday following their return to training, but Toma Basic remains behind in his recovery path.
Yesterday Gila and Pedro were partially back with the group. We’ll see if Basic can try as well. I don’t know yet.
Why Lazio’s Squad Weakened In Recent Years
Sarri reckoned that Lazio had a much stronger squad two years ago, but that team had too many veterans, in reference to the likes of Ciro Immobile, Luis Alberto, and Felipe Anderson.
That Lazio side was strong but at the end of its cycle. This team is inferior to that one — we’ll see in three years’ time. There were older players.
Lazio vs Atalanta | Coppa Italia | Where to Watch, Insights, Lineups & Prediction
The former Napoli and Juventus head coach insists that he still enjoys working with the Lazio players at his disposal, but requesting reinforcement is part of his duty.
If you live off the polemics in Rome, you only last twenty days. I don’t listen to the outside noise. I’m a coach — everyone wants a stronger squad. Even Guardiola would turn his nose up and ask for more. It’s part of the job.
I enjoy this team in training; the group is healthy and problem-free. During the week I take pleasure in it — during matches I often get angry.
Lazio Players Won’t Meet With Protesting Supporters Before Atalanta Clash
While the Curva Nord supporters will continue to boycott the team’s fixtures as part of the protest against Claudio Lotito, they asked that the team bus pass by the gathering point at Ponte Milvio before the match. However, Sarri explained why this won’t be possible.
It seems the authorities won’t allow a change of route. I’m sorry — it would have been an important point of contact.
I respect the supporters’ reasons, but we miss the Lazio fans. I hope we can hear their chants from inside. That would be a strong sign of participation. If they stand by us, I’m happy.
Overall, I like Sarri. He’s done a good job with the cards he’s been dealt. He’s not afraid to say the quiet part out loud which is a refreshing take from a manager… However, I don’t like the constant condescending tone when talking about the squad.
It’s being reflected in the confidence of the players. Look at their body language in Torino… If you keep implying your players are trash, they’ll start believing it. They’re confidence is lowering week-by-week.
It’s no secret that this is a new dark age for Lazio, but the leader should be bringing a spark. It’s easy to highlight the negatives, it takes a bit of courage to go against the grain and inject some inspiration into the squad.
What do you mean he’s done a good job? Have you even watched any games?? Sarris soccer is unwatchable, they’re close to getting relegated. They look like a high school soccer team!! Sarri needs to get fired immediately.
He’s done a good job **with the cards he’s been dealt.** What would you like Sarri to do? Or any manager for that matter. If Pep were here, would Lazio be a top 6 team?
No, he certainly hasn’t done a good job. The team is really bad in every area except Provedel. There’s nothing good about this season, and Sarri is still sticking with his very ineffective 4-3-3 formation, unable to make any changes. On top of that, the team hasn’t changed much compared to last season.
The team is 11th, 13 points behind sixth place. It’s disastrous.
Soccer, really Steven? The English abandoned this term for good reason, perhaps it’s time you do the same?
Everything restarts from a new owner who is willing to invest in the team. He is the root cause for the poor morale and bad cycle of the team.
I hope Lazio’s dark age can be over very soon. I would like to see the eagle flying high in the championship league.
Lotito is a major problem, but he won’t sell. A $600m offer wasn’t enough for him to even entertain negotiations.
In the meantime, Sarri should be injecting as much life into Lazio as possible. The season’s not over. There’s still a path to win the domestic cup which we should all rally behind.
Sarri’s time was years ago
Europa League would provide an extra source of income, yet it doesn’t guarantee that Lazio won’t get an embargo once again. Being active in European football and Serie A with out current squad depth and knowing that Romagnoli foŕ example most likely will leave the squad and Gila. Than again a coppa Italia win is a prize and those are always welcome in a not all too stacked trophy desk.
Rallying around the time while there’s a supporters boycott of the stadium is a hard one.
Can I just say: fock all the Sephora adds that come up this site. It threw me out like 10 times, anywhere I touch the screen basically takes me to that bloody site. Usually it does it 2 or 3 times but now it was horrible
Sorry about that. I will report it and hopefully someone will fix it.
Much appreciated!
Seeing Sarri speak of next season makes me sad. It’s true what David says, he’s always talking down the squad and has a vicmin mentality. One day we play decent the next two games terrible, always something. I think his best days are gone.
The future looks dim and the only hope is a new owner coming along.