Lazio President Claudio Lotito insists the club has faith in Maurizio Sarri, but ‘there is an issue of mentality’ with the players that will be tested by Celtic in the Champions League. ‘Nobody is indispensable.’
It kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico at 17.45 GMT.
The Aquile are still smarting following the humiliating 2-1 defeat to relegation-threatened Salernitana on Saturday, putting even more pressure on them this evening.
“The attitude on the field is the biggest problem,” President Lotito told Sky Sport Italia.
“The team must go out there combative, determined, cohesive and eager to bring home the result. Some things are not predictable in football, but I want to always see a team that is fired up, ferocious and determined.”
After that defeat, Sarri was so disappointed that he said if he was the problem, then he would have no problem walking away.
“The club’s position is that we believe in both the squad and the coach. We are convinced that once someone falls down, they must be able to get back on their feet and carry on. Lazio will do that,” assured Lotito.
The Biancocelesti took second place in Serie A last season, but then lost director of sport Igli Tare over the summer after 18 years at the club amid reports of differences with Sarri.
“I absolutely did not send Tare away from Lazio, it was his personal choice tied to family and not to misunderstandings or criticism. In life everyone is useful, nobody is indispensable. I know full well that there has to be a generational shift.
“You cannot give all the credit or blame to one person. Everything must be tied to the specific moment and situation. We renovated the squad, it needed time to adjust and unfortunately this is a team that did well against the stronger opponents and worse in the ‘easier’ fixtures, so that means there is an issue in the mentality.”
The line-up is transformed after Saturday’s Serie A defeat to Salernitana, not just because Matias Vecino is suspended with Mattia Zaccagni, Alessio Romagnoli and Nicolò Casale injured.
Taty Castellanos and Gustav Isaksen are given surprise starts, benching Ciro Immobile and Pedro.
“I told Sarri to pick the players in the best shape and not look at anyone’s names. I gave him absolute freedom to make his choices, I made an investment bringing this coach in and the club has never shown a lack of support for him or the squad.”