Simone Inzaghi realises “the bar has been raised” for Lazio ahead of the Sassuolo match and explains what makes Ciro Immobile “a leader.”
It kicks off on Sunday at 14.00 UK time (13.00 GMT), click here for a match preview.
Simone Inzaghi realises “the bar has been raised” for Lazio ahead of the Sassuolo match and explains what makes Ciro Immobile “a leader.”
It kicks off on Sunday at 14.00 UK time (13.00 GMT), click here for a match preview.
“We are doing what we said we would since the start of the season, in other words stay close to the top of the table,” noted the Coach in his Press conference.
“That is our objective, which we also achieved last term, despite the fact our rivals have strengthened a great deal. We’ve done well in these two months, but are only at the start.
“In these two years, the squad has helped me a great deal and I always tried to make them all feel involved. Last year it was all easier, as we had more time to prepare for the games. We knew that the Europa League would make it tougher and we wanted that qualification with all our might, so will do our best to honour the competition.
“Naturally I am satisfied with how we’ve started the season, but I also know the bar has been raised.”
The extra matches have inevitably led to more Lazio injuries, as Dusan Basta, Wallace, Bastos and Felipe Anderson are certainly out tomorrow.
“We’ll see about Luis Alberto and Stefan de Vrij tomorrow. Luis Nani took some time to fully recover, as he joined us after an injury, but he is a great player and I think he’s ready to play tomorrow.
“Sergej Milinkovic-Savic had a muscular problem and I preferred to rest him on Thursday against Zulte Waregem, but he can start on Sunday.
“Sassuolo are a tough opponent, as they are coming off an undeserved defeat to Bologna. They have quality players who can cause us problems, so we must play with great intensity. That’s what we needed to beat them last season too, an aggressive and hard-working Lazio.”
Immobile has been the undoubted star of their campaign so far, scoring 12 goals in nine games between Serie A, the Europa League and Italian Super Cup.
“I knew he would score goals, as he always has done when given the chance. I was won over by the way he settled into our atmosphere from the very first day. He was always the first to arrive for training and the last to leave.
“This is why he is one of our leaders, not just because he scores goals, but for his efforts.”