Simone Inzaghi felt Lazio paid the price for a “black-out” and wasted chances as they threw away a Europa League quarter-final with RB Salzburg.
It was an extraordinary capitulation in Austria, as the Biancocelesti won the first leg 4-2 and were 1-0 up on the night thanks to Ciro Immobile.
Simone Inzaghi felt Lazio paid the price for a “black-out” and wasted chances as they threw away a Europa League quarter-final with RB Salzburg.
It was an extraordinary capitulation in Austria, as the Biancocelesti won the first leg 4-2 and were 1-0 up on the night thanks to Ciro Immobile.
The situation was 5-3 on aggregate at the 71st minute when Luis Alberto missed a sitter, but at that point RB Salzburg scored three scrappy goals in four minutes to reach the Europa League semi-finals 6-5 on aggregate.
“Once we took the lead, we conceded the equaliser straight away and then had that black-out. We had qualification within our grasp. We shouldn’t have done that,” the Coach told Sky Sport Italia.
“There’s a big chance with the derby on Sunday, we have to recover physical and psychological energy. The difference is that we had the same number of shots on goal today, they scored four and we got one. We’ll learn from this and it’ll help us to grow.
“We conceded four goals, two were basically own goals, but these things happen. We had the chances to get it back on track and we didn’t take them.
“It was an emotional journey, I shared it with the lads and the fans. It’s a shame we couldn’t give them this semi-final, which was right there in front of us.
“I introduced Felipe Anderson because I wanted the second goal that would allow us to go through. We had the chance with Luis Alberto, which was created by Felipe Anderson, and then we fell apart.
“I don’t think we were defensive this evening at all. We had the scoring opportunities and simply didn’t take enough of them. The two goals they scored in Rome were also somewhat fortuitous, but we move on.
“I am sure it’ll be another step in the growth experience, as let’s not forget we have many young players in their first European campaigns.
“We weren’t really under pressure, but I introduced Felipe Anderson and Jordan Lukaku to push further up the field and not go so deep. They took their chances and we didn’t, we tip our hats to Salzburg.
“We must be proud of what we’ve done in Europe this season and what we’re doing in Serie A, as there are seven rounds to go and we’ll do everything to earn a very important position.”
On Sunday, Lazio go head-to-head with Roma – who reached the Champions League semi-final – for joint third place in the Derby della Capitale.