Simone Inzaghi is keeping his cards close to his chest with several options in attack as Lazio visit “surprises of the Serie A season” Parma.
It kicks off at 14.00 UK time (13.00 GMT), click here for a match preview.
Simone Inzaghi is keeping his cards close to his chest with several options in attack as Lazio visit “surprises of the Serie A season” Parma.
It kicks off at 14.00 UK time (13.00 GMT), click here for a match preview.
“We know that there will be many Lazio fans travelling for the game and that gives us extra motivation. It’ll be tough at the Tardini, as Parma are going through a good period of form, but I am pleased with the way the lads have responded in training,” said the Coach in his Press conference.
“Parma are without Gervinho, but are still one of the surprises of the Serie A season and proved they can win without him. They are well-organised and don’t just clam up to go on the counter.”
Inzaghi might have to work on Ciro Immobile’s confidence after last year’s joint Capocannoniere was dropped in favour of Kevin Lasagna in Italy’s must-win Nations League game with Poland last week.
“I’d always play Immobile, but Roberto Mancini was clear that the hierarchy and dynamics can change from one moment to the next. Ciro is a born warrior and started this season strong too, so it’s up to him to change Mancini’s mind.
“There’s a lot of competition in attack at Lazio too, as Felipe Caicedo works hard, Joaquin Correa is improving all the time and last season Luis Alberto was one of our most important players. I like to keep the doubt on who I’ll choose until the last minute.
“The problem with Luis Alberto is that last season’s performances spoiled you into thinking he had to perform at that level all the time, but people forget he scored fundamental goals this term as well. We expect a lot from him because last year he was simply extraordinary.”
Following his foolish and very costly red card in the Europa League against Eintracht Frankfurt, Lazio removed Dusan Basta from the Serie A squad and replaced him with fit-again Jordan Lukaku.
“Last season Lukaku was a very important figure for us and he had this tendon issue that held him back over the last few months, but he can now start getting back into the squad.”