Francesco Acerbi has claimed the Players’ Association wants to complete the season and insisted Lazio have the right mentality to challenge Juventus in the event of a resumption.
The Biancocelesti won the Supercoppa Italiana in December and were on an unbeaten run of 21 games in Serie A before the forced break.
The 32-year-old defender, who has been a key member since his move from Sassuolo, has it’s difficult to keep the momentum going during the quarantine period.
Francesco Acerbi has claimed the Players’ Association wants to complete the season and insisted Lazio have the right mentality to challenge Juventus in the event of a resumption.
The Biancocelesti won the Supercoppa Italiana in December and were on an unbeaten run of 21 games in Serie A before the forced break.
The 32-year-old defender, who has been a key member since his move from Sassuolo, has it’s difficult to keep the momentum going during the quarantine period.
“It’s hard to stay still,” he told Radio Anch’io Sport. “We are used to always being on the move. Going back to normality is the most important thing.
“You try to keep fit, but you are always locked up at home. But time passes with the training and the activities.”
One of the proposed hypotheses of next season will be to conclude in a calendar year, but Acerbi claims it will be difficult to restructure the whole campaign to be played only in 2021.
“They are only assumptions. In my opinion it’s a bit difficult because there’s also the European Championship and it’s difficult to set up a championship from January to December.
“I hope to finish the current campaign as soon as possible, with all the security needed and then play the next season in an appropriate way.
“Maybe by setting up a few more games, even in the place of the international breaks.”
In any case, Acerbi seemed convinced Lazio will be able to conclude the current season and insisted he will not fear contact and play like normal if they are allowed to resume Serie A.
“I think it will be completed but I don’t think you can play football without touching each other,” he said. “Then you would rather not play.
“It’s OK that there are precautions, that there are no fans. But on the pitch, if I have to push someone, I push them, otherwise it’s not football. I can’t let my opponents score.”
The defender, who arrived from the Neroverdi in 2018, is a board members of the Players’ Union (AIC) and has revealed they ‘wish to start again’.
“I’m a councillor of the AIC and our wish is to start again,” he said. “However, there are someone who disagrees, everyone is not heading in the same direction. There’s always something wrong with the safety.
“When there are fatalities, it’s very difficult. AIC aims to resume but with the utmost safety I don’t think we will be able to return within three months and I don’t think that’s the right decision.
“Everyone is responsible for what they do when they go out, as is the case right now, measures are taken.”
The Italy international is also convinced Lazio can fight Juventus for the Scudetto this season, as they sit one point behind the league leaders and reigning champions.
“For what we have shown, absolutely. We have won many games, against Inter and Juventus. Even in the most difficult of times, we have been able to perform. The group have never split.
“Everyone works for it and it’s enough for one to not participate and the whole castle falls apart. Let’s see if we will continue, but I think that the mentality will remain like this until the end of the championship.”