Maurizio Sarri’s assistant manager Giovanni Martusciello admits Lazio are ‘pleased with the result, a bit less with the performance’ after squeezing past 10-man Cagliari 1-0.
The coach said he was worried about the attitude his men would show against the newly-promoted Sardinians after a midweek Champions League win over Celtic sent them into the Round of 16.
It had seemed to be the ideal start, as Pedro found the net on a Manuel Lazzari assist and Cagliari went down to 10 men at the 27th minute for Antoine Makoumbou bringing down Mateo Guendouzi clear on goal.
However, Claudio Ranieri’s side pushed hardest for an equaliser and in the final minutes were only denied by an extraordinary Ivan Provedel save on Leonardo Pavoletti and Gaetano Oristanio failing to make the most of a Lazzari howler.
Officially due to flu symptoms, Sarri did not attend the post-match interview with DAZN, sending assistant manager Giovanni Martusciello instead.
“We won a complicated match. We are pleased with the result, a bit less with the performance, but we were coming off the game with Celtic and that took a lot out of us.”
In order to make things worse, the Biancocelesti lost midfielder Luis Alberto to a muscular problem midway through the second half.
“Luis Alberto needs to be evaluated tomorrow morning, at the moment we don’t know anything for sure.”
Gustav Isaksen had his second consecutive start and seems to be improving after an anonymous start to his Serie A experience.
“It is certainly an improvement, he is starting to learn Italian and also to understand the movements he has to make. He has the right qualities to make his mark in our football and the character to get through difficult moments.”
Sarri has expressed frustration that Lazio players seem to raise their game for the Champions League and do the bare minimum required in Serie A, especially against the smaller opponents.
“Last season is the past, this is completely different and we cannot compare,” assured Martusciello.
“You have to win games by suffering too, other days you might be more dominant.”
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