Simone Inzaghi reveals Sergej Milinkovic-Savic played on with a fractured nose and regrets Lazio errors in their 2-0 defeat to Fiorentina.
The Aquile had been flying with seven wins from their last eight Serie A games, but this was an unexpected setback against a Viola side battling against relegation.
Ciro Immobile had several chances, but was regularly caught offside or denied by Bartlomiej Dragowski, and above all the second half descended into numerous fouls and cards.
Simone Inzaghi reveals Sergej Milinkovic-Savic played on with a fractured nose and regrets Lazio errors in their 2-0 defeat to Fiorentina.
The Aquile had been flying with seven wins from their last eight Serie A games, but this was an unexpected setback against a Viola side battling against relegation.
Ciro Immobile had several chances, but was regularly caught offside or denied by Bartlomiej Dragowski, and above all the second half descended into numerous fouls and cards.
“There is disappointment. We knew it would be tough, and we did well in the first half, but unfortunately some incidents didn’t go our way,” Inzaghi told DAZN.
“There was that big chance with Correa, we should’ve defended better on their first goal, then in the second half it wasn’t a smooth game at all. The regret is going into the break a goal down, as we didn’t deserve that.
“We moved the ball around a bit too slowly, so we did create some chances, but were unable to finish them. Unfortunately, there were errors on the goals.”
The Lazio players seemed tired and not quite at the races, and Inzaghi explains there were some very good reasons for that.
“Luis Alberto has been dealing with this ankle problem for weeks now. Manuel Lazzari had a fever last night, we had Mohamed Fares suspended, so we had some problems to sort out.
“Milinkovic wanted to stay on the pitch at all costs, but we’re pretty sure he fractured his nose during that clash of heads with Pulgar. Before half-time. Fiorentina are a very physical team, so we needed his contribution and preferred to keep him on.
“The big regret was that Correa chance and the defending on the goals.”
This result effectively ends Lazio’s chances of catching up for a top four finish, even though they have a game in hand to be played against Torino.
“We knew it was tough and we had a long way to chase them down and anything can happen in football, there are still four games for us to play,” added the coach.
“From the last time we played Fiorentina, there were 14 wins out of 19. We know we dropped points in the first half of the season, with the Champions League, injuries and COVID.
“We’re going to be in Europe for the fifth season running, so that is positive. Considering how we’d been playing recently, we are feeling a little disappointed, but it was always going to be tough.”