Maurizio Sarri feels Lazio missed Ciro Immobile in their stalemate with Bologna, discusses his career starting from ‘pitches of dirt and mud,’ while revealing why his wife made him cut his hair after a defeat.
The Aquile had the opportunity to build on last week’s shock victory away to Napoli and go clear in second place ahead of Inter, but instead they were held to a 0-0 draw at the Stadio Dall’Ara.
This has been a disappointing few days, as on Tuesday they lost 2-1 at home to AZ Alkmaar in the Conference League Round of 16.
“We played with focus, good football for 80 metres of the pitch, not so much in the final third, but we were against a Bologna side during a very positive period of form,” Sarri told Sky Sport Italia.
It did at least allow them to set a new all-time club record with their ninth away clean sheet of the Serie A season.
“If Ciro Immobile had been able to play regularly, we’d have an extra 18-19 goals. It’s not as if we are not having the shots on goal, we create the chances and did so again this evening. There were also some situations where we didn’t get a shot away and that was just shameful.”
Roma – who Lazio face next week in the Derby della Capitale – and Milan could theoretically leapfrog them this weekend.
Matias Vecino was booked and will be suspended for the showdown with Roma, while Luis Alberto went off complaining that he felt nauseous.
Sarri has often said that perfection does not exist in football, and yet it is something he will continue to strive towards for the rest of his career.
“I hope there is always something missing, because the reason to be a coach is to be motivated to seek perfection. It’s better if the objective is utopia, because that leaves fuel in the tank.”
While some coaches like Julian Nagelsmann are in charge of Bayern Munich at the age of 35, Sarri worked in a bank for much of his life while training amateur teams and made his Serie A debut only in 2014-15.
“Nagelsmann is touched by God, with barely any experience finds himself leading one of the biggest clubs in Europe. I come from pitches made of dirt and mud, it was a long journey, a difficult one, but to be honest, I enjoyed myself too.
“You keep all of that, as a coach you are the sum total of the experiences that you put together. The technique is different, but the tactical aspects of the sport remain the same.”
Sarri also gave an intriguing insight into his home life after rumours he only cut his hair after the defeat to AZ Alkmaar.
“My wife was getting annoyed with me, she kept bugging me to cut my hair. Seeing as we were in a period when we kept winning games, so I tried to put her off by saying I couldn’t cut my hair when we were doing so well. After Tuesday she met me at home and said, OK now it’s time to get it cut.
“I am a gem at home! I never disturb anyone and most of the time I’m not even there!”
The Derby della Capitale is next week, but Jose Mourinho won’t be on the bench after the Roma coach received a two-match touchline ban. “It is disappointing, because I am always happy to see him and it’s part of the spectacle of the occasion. I am sad he won’t be there.”