Maurizio Sarri prepares to face Lazio” data-scaytid=”3″>Lazio and wants to be Empoli’s” data-scaytid=”4″>“Empoli’s Sir Alex Ferguson” after a contract extension.
Maurizio Sarri prepares to face Lazio and wants to be “Empoli’s Sir Alex Ferguson” after a contract extension.
The two teams meet at the Stadio Castellani today at 14.00 GMT, click here for a match preview.
Despite falling to three consecutive defeats, this week the club renewed Sarri’s deal to June 2017.
“It is the most important contract of my career and I hope to become Empoli’s Sir Alex Ferguson,” smiled the Coach.
“President Corsi called me in and I didn’t expect this. I am truly very happy.”
The fact remains they will be taking on a Lazio side in stunning form that can go clear in third place today after Sampdoria’s” data-scaytid=”14″>Sampdoria’s 2-2 draw with Milan.
“It’s a difficult game, there is no point denying it. Lazio are doing so well with 16 points in six games. The numbers spell it all out. They have a World Cup winner, Miroslav Klose, while Djordjevic is doing great things in the same role.
“Lazio, Stefano Pioli and their transfer strategy were all underestimated at the start of the season. Even their defeats were played at a high level. The Coach is doing a great job.”
There are concerns over the state of the playing surface at the Castellani following recent floods and freak storms throughout Italy.
“I hope we can do something to improve it before the game, because the pitch was in just a critical state.
“Tonelli is suspended and I’m not sure who to replace him with. Barba is quicker, but Bianchetti has more physical strength. In any case, we’ll have a suitable option. Verdi hasn’t trained, so he is out again.
“We’ve been playing really well and getting no results whatsoever, so perhaps we should start trying to play badly and hope we get a result… The team tends to always have those two or three banal errors in a game that end up being costly.”