Lazio President Claudio Lotito is happy with coach Maurizio Sarri and highlights his decision to keep Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, while ‘other clubs sold their stars.’
The Biancocelesti are just three points off table leaders Napoli and Atalanta after four wins, two draws and one defeat in seven Serie A games. Sarri has entered his second season at the club after finishing right below a Champions League spot in his first campaign at the Stadio Olimpico in 2021-22.
“We understood each other immediately. I didn’t know Sarri, but he made a great impression. He lives for football, that’s why, I gave him Lazio’s long-term project,” Lotito told Leggo.
“After Inzaghi’s unexpected departure, we opted for a coach in line with the club’s ambitions. Somebody who could begin a new project straight away.”
Lazio were among the biggest spenders in Italy last summer and managed to keep hold of all their stars, including Milinkovic-Savic.
“It was one of the most costly transfer windows, but we wanted to invest in renewing the team,” Lotito admitted.
“We wanted to sign useful players and we haven’t sold our best players, including Milinkovic-Savic, which is something people underestimate. Other teams sold their most important assets, but we didn’t.”
What does he make of criticism of Ciro Immobile?
“It’s incredible that a player like him is not celebrated as he would deserve. He has been scoring so many goals for years. He even won the Golden Shoe, but perhaps the fact that he is a Lazio player is annoying to someone. I know him well and he loves Lazio because our fans make him feel important.”
The Italy striker has scored five goals in seven Serie A appearances so far. Last season, he was Capocannoniere with 27 goals, three more than Juventus star Dusan Vlahovic.
Lazio resume the season on Sunday, October 2, against Luca Gotti’s Spezia at the Stadio Olimpico.