Lazio Coach Stefano Pioli says his team will only be focused on Cagliari, despite the Roma–Napoli game tomorrow.
The Aquile’s bitter rivals are welcoming the Partenopei to Stadio Olimpico tomorrow in the early kick-off, and a win for Rafa Benitez’s side would give Lazio the opportunity to go second.
“We’re only thinking about ourselves,” Pioli insisted in his pre-match Press conference.
“We have the opportunity to improve our League position. At the end of the match we’ll look at other results.
Lazio Coach Stefano Pioli says his team will only be focused on Cagliari, despite the Roma-Napoli game tomorrow.
The Aquile’s bitter rivals are welcoming the Partenopei to Stadio Olimpico tomorrow in the early kick-off, and a win for Rafa Benitez’s side would give Lazio the opportunity to go second.
“We’re only thinking about ourselves,” Pioli insisted in his pre-match Press conference.
“We have the opportunity to improve our League position. At the end of the match we’ll look at other results.
“We can only influence our own results, and we want to win every game. We’ll try to start on the front foot.
“The game we’re thinking about is tomorrow, because we’re doing important things in the League, but we haven’t achieved anything yet.
“We’re thinking about the League, and approaching it with great enthusiasm, but the table is tight. There are so many teams separated by so few points, we have to remain focused.
“This kind of situation has happened a few times before, where we’ve played on a Monday while knowing the other results.
“We have our spirit, and we know we’ll be facing a red-hot atmosphere and a team which likes to play football.
“Our motivation will be the same against Cagliari, we don’t care about the results of other teams because we’ll already be fully motivated.”
The Biancocelesti are fighting on two fronts, and also have a Coppa Italia semi-final with Napoli on Wednesday and Pioli insists the cup is not a secondary concern.
“They’re on the same level, both competitions are very important. We can achieve our goals in the League where there are still many games to go, but also in the Coppa Italia.
“We want to compete to the end in all competitions. “Rotation? Absolutely not, I’ll choose the best team for tomorrow, I see no reason to make changes after the international break.
“There are no problems playing on Saturday at three o’clock and then on Wednesday night. The players are training well and they’re ready to play.”
Finally, after Cagliari Coach Zdenek Zeman complimented Lazio’s style of play, Pioli had some reciprocal kind words for the Czech tactician.
“These compliments are coming from an intelligent person and a Coach I’ve always held in high regard,” Pioli responded.
“Along with [Arrigo] Sacchi he brought something new to the game, and he always tries to be positive on the pitch and tries to win.
“He always gives his team a great identity, he’s a great Coach and I really respect him.”