Lazio coach Simone Inzaghi has claimed his players ‘know’ what they’re up against when the Biancocelesti travel to Bergamo on Wednesday: “We've both had excellent rides.”
The Aquile sit second in Serie A ahead of their first game back in action, facing an Atalanta side who kept up their consistent form with another 4-1 win over Sassuolo on Sunday.
Inzaghi looks forward to returning to action but knows it won’t be easy to extend their run of four consecutive wins against La Dea.
Lazio coach Simone Inzaghi has claimed his players ‘know’ what they’re up against when the Biancocelesti travel to Bergamo on Wednesday: “We've both had excellent rides.”
The Aquile sit second in Serie A ahead of their first game back in action, facing an Atalanta side who kept up their consistent form with another 4-1 win over Sassuolo on Sunday.
Inzaghi looks forward to returning to action but knows it won’t be easy to extend their run of four consecutive wins against La Dea.
“We know the strength of Atalanta,” Inzaghi said at a press conference. “They have done very well in recent years. Our paths started together, mine and that of [Orobici coach Gian Piero] Gasperini.
“We both had excellent rides. We are organised teams, we won, lost and drew. It will be a beautiful game and a difficult test. The lads know what they are going to face.”
The Biancocelesti currently sit four points behind Juventus, who beat Bologna on Monday, and Inzaghi hopes the team will find their feet again quickly.
“There’s a desire to start again. We have left behind a particular moment for the whole world.
“We want to start again, we have seen from the Coppa Italia that there will be difficulties, especially in the beginning.
“I think it’s the same for all the teams. Before we had a lot of confidence as a team, then we stopped for a while.
“We have some problems with some men, but we have prepared well. Unfortunately, we were unable to play more than one friendly, the one against Ternana on Saturday. The others, luckily had the Coppa Italia.”
Inzaghi confirmed the absence of Lucas Leiva, Senad Lulic, Luiz Felipe and Adam Marusic, but hopes the latter will be back in time for the next match.
“Leiva, Lulic, Marusic and Luiz Felipe will not be there tomorrow, we hope to recover Marusic for Fiorentina.
“We will not have [Bobby] Adekanye and [Raul] Moro either, but I’m convinced of the others. Lulic had a very serious injury, he will probably contribute again next year. Luiz Felipe has a first degree and Leiva has a discomfort that stops him from training regularly.”
Inzaghi has called for mental strength to continue the hunt for their third title and insists they are facing the same issues that the rest are dealing with.
“To be there and to win trophies, we had a great spirit. We have some ailments, but I think they all have them.
“We know that we had done something great and we want to present ourselves with the same spirit.
“We hope [to get going immediately]. The players spent three months on the sofa, there will be some problems that will affect not only Lazio, but all the teams.”
But the Aquile coach admitted he has personally struggled to focus on football during the recent months of uncertainty.
“It has been very difficult months for everyone. We have had hard times, all Italians. Having parents in Piacenza, one of the hardest hit cities, gave me a great deal of anxiety. There were more important things than football.”