Simone Inzaghi gave clues and updates on his Lazio side to face Sampdoria. “People rarely mention us in pre-season, but we’ll be up there.”
It kicks off on Sunday at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT), click here for a match preview.
“What happened in the past is done, even the trophies, so we have to start from scratch, try to improve and qualify for the Champions League,” said the Coach in his Press conference.
Simone Inzaghi gave clues and updates on his Lazio side to face Sampdoria. “People rarely mention us in pre-season, but we’ll be up there.”
It kicks off on Sunday at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT), click here for a match preview.
“What happened in the past is done, even the trophies, so we have to start from scratch, try to improve and qualify for the Champions League,” said the Coach in his Press conference.
The Aquile won the Coppa Italia last term and therefore qualified for the Europa League group phase.
“Every season is different, we know how touch this will be, especially as all the mid-table teams reinforced over the summer. People rarely mention us in pre-season, but I am sure that at the end of the day, we’ll be up there challenging for the positions that count.
“I expect to see an aggressive Sampdoria side and it’s never easy to debut at Marassi, where the crowd is very passionate. Eusebio Di Francesco is a Coach I respect a great deal and don’t forget he got Roma to the Champions League semi-final.”
Inzaghi confirmed that Wallace and Jordan Lukaku are out injured, while Jony Rodriguez still doesn’t have his international transfer after a dispute with Malaga.
“Felipe Caicedo and Lucas Leiva went through the whole training session today, so they are available. Manuel Lazzari is eager to play, even with a protective cast on his hand, but I have to evaluate him.
“I have some doubts over who to use as a playmaker, because Leiva and Danilo Cataldi can take that role. Sergej Milinkovic-Savic had 35 extraordinary days in pre-season, then had this problem with his hip that slowed him down a little. If he can give guarantees, I think he can start tomorrow.
“I do have a doubt in defence between Luiz Felipe and Denis Vavro, so I’ll make a decision tomorrow. Vavro is very intelligent, he asks questions and wants to know everything, but of course he still hasn’t learned Italian yet.”
There has been much talk in the media of Lazio trying to find a new striker and Inzaghi had news on that count.
“We are monitoring some situations and will see if there’s the opportunity to improve our attack, otherwise we’ll remain as we are. Caicedo will probably sign his contract renewal next week and that was a big weight on me. I’ve been a player, so I know it’s not easy when your contract is running down. I’ve also been impressed with Bobby Adekanye and Andre Anderson this month.
“Tucu Correa brings creativity and I try not to limit him. He can roam around the pitch, but always close to another striker. He was a winger at Sevilla, whereas I want him to be more central. I am convinced he can get much stronger with time.”