Simone Inzaghi thanks Lazio for ‘surpassing themselves again’ after their stoppage-time draw with Juventus. ‘Difficulty is in our DNA, we thrive on it.’
It was another last-gasp comeback for the Aquile, who cancelled out Cristiano Ronaldo’s opener for a 1-1 draw at the Olimpico with Felipe Caicedo, despite missing several key players after a COVID-19 dispute.
Simone Inzaghi thanks Lazio for ‘surpassing themselves again’ after their stoppage-time draw with Juventus. ‘Difficulty is in our DNA, we thrive on it.’
It was another last-gasp comeback for the Aquile, who cancelled out Cristiano Ronaldo’s opener for a 1-1 draw at the Olimpico with Felipe Caicedo, despite missing several key players after a COVID-19 dispute.
“We had a run of incredible games, with players down to the minimum, going through Plan A, B and C. They surpassed themselves again, so our celebrations were even more excitable than usual,” the coach told DAZN.
“I think Lazio had a great performance and fully deserved at least a point. We conceded the opener after an error, Ronaldo hit the woodwork, but then we had plenty of chances and controlled the game.
“We know Juventus have a lot of quality, but despite the condition we were in coming into this game, we put in a great performance.”
The Aquile’s substitutions proved decisive, and not just supersub Felipe Caicedo, but also Jean-Daniel Akpa Akpro.
“A coach finds it very satisfying when those who come off the bench give a big hand. Let’s not forget we were missing Immobile, Strakosha, Lucas Leiva, all first choice players.
“Now we have to keep working, aware the lads have done incredibly well to get these results in Serie A and the Champions League in these conditions.
“This team has immense heart. We’ve been working together for many years, we know difficulty is in the DNA of Lazio and we thrive on it. We had 13 outfield players against Brugge, 14 with Zenit, now we have to rest and hope to have squad rotation options available in future so we can be a little sharper.”
Even without Golden Shoe winner Ciro Immobile, Lazio still keep churning out goals with Correa and Caicedo.
“Correa had a great game. He probably could’ve been sharper in his finishing, but worked so hard off the ball and was always in the right place, with his posture correct for the situation, as he’s a very intelligent player who reads the game so well.
“Caicedo is a great player, a wonderful person who after five or six months was already adored by everyone. I asked the club, and they immediately agreed, to keep him, as he was the ideal player to complete the front line.
“I would’ve played him from the start today and with Zenit, but he’s struggling with a shoulder problem and really needs surgery.”