Ahead of Wednesday’s big showdown, Lazio head coach Mauzio Sarri provided updates on the players who are either carrying knocks or making their way back from injury.
Maurizio Sarri Downplays the Importance of Atalanta vs Lazio
The two teams met in Rome last month for the first leg of the Coppa Italia semi-final, with the contest ending 2-2. On Wednesday, the second leg in Bergamo will certainly yield a winner. Therefore, this clash has been described as the most important fixture in the Aquile’s season. But in his pre-match press conference (via La Lazio Siamo Noi), Sarri tried his best to undermine its importance.
That’s a typically journalistic definition. There isn’t just one match that saves a season. That’s more of an insider’s message. From a media perspective, those labels exist.
Tijjani Noslin Also Carrying a Knock
Sadly for Lazio, they have been enduring a torrid time with injuries throughout the campaign, and this remains the case ahead of Wednesday’s showdown. So while Tijjani Noslin has been the club’s most convincing striker in recent weeks, Sarri reveals that the Dutchman is also impeded by a slight knock, while Daniel Maldini could be fit enough to play against his parent club.
Noslin came out of the Napoli game with some minor issues. We’ll see tomorrow. Maldini is clinically recovered but has a chronic tendinopathy. There are times when he feels much better, others when the inflammation limits him. Today it seems reduced, but I don’t know how long he can play.
With five substitutions, I still have limits—I can’t use them all early. Noslin is fine, just took a couple of knocks. Dia is also fit. They’re all options, especially in a match that might go beyond 90 minutes.
Adam Marusic Back With Lazio Group
Adam Marusic, who missed the last two games through injury, is now training partially with the group, while Nicolo Rovella is also making some progress following his shoulder surgery.
Marusic trained partially with the group—tomorrow morning we’ll test him again. He’s been out for a couple of weeks. I can’t take risks with all five players who aren’t fully fit.
Rovella has been cleared for some contact on his shoulder, will train separately for another week, then might rejoin the group. I hope to have him back for a few matches.
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Toma Basic Still Working on Regaining Optimal Shape
Toma Basic has recently returned from a long hiatus and put up a strong performance against Napoli. However, Sarri insists the Croarian isn’t 100% fit yet.
He was out for two and a half months. After returning, he struggled in Florence, less so in Naples. He seems to be improving, but I don’t know how many minutes he can handle.”
This group has had 52 injuries—I don’t know how many points that cost us. There have also been refereeing incidents, and other factors like fan presence. But the squad still needs to be strengthened with certain qualities.
Matteo Cancellieri vs Gustav Isaksen
The 67-year-old refused to reveal who will start on the right wing between Matteo Cancellieri and Gustav Isaksen.
The only thing I’m sure about is that I’m hungry right now. They’re both players with many strengths and a few flaws. My choice has always depended on form.
Cancellieri started better, then Isaksen gave more, now Cancellieri is in good shape again. Isaksen struggled mentally after Denmark’s elimination, but he looks better now.
Sarri Refutes Counterattack Theory
Finally, Sarri insisted that Lazio do not exclusively rely on counterattacks, although he admitted that his team excels against opponents who push forward.
We’ve improved a lot in possession. After Napoli, it sounded like we scored on counter-attacks, but that’s not true. The first goal came after a minute of possession, the second from building out from the back.
Sometimes narratives don’t match reality. Like when people say zonal marking on set pieces doesn’t work—the numbers say otherwise. We’ll never be a team focused on slow build-up but we’ve grown. Possession must be quick and moved rapidly into the opponent’s half.
Counter-attack football suits us much more than pointless possession. It is better to watch, we have better results and players like it more. So – PLAY IT!
I, as a manager, might love the idea to play with two deadly strikers upfront like Inter, but since I have none worthy enough, it is easy. The decision was made already by the situation regardless. Simply use what you have in a best way it can be used.