Maurizio Sarri feels ‘disappointment’ at the late Atalanta equaliser, but explains how Danilo Cataldi and Lazio are visibly improving over the last couple of matches.
The Aquile had been leading twice in Bergamo this afternoon, only to be pegged back at the 94th minute by Marten de Roon’s half-volley.
“There was a little bad luck, a little disappointment to concede four minutes into stoppages,” Sarri told DAZN.
“We’ll see if we can build on this and find the consistency we’ve been looking for.”
Sarri had said Luis Alberto could not play alongside Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, but the pair did start together for the last two games, helped by the balance provided by Cataldi rather than Lucas Leiva.
“Cataldi has always had great technique, even when he was a kid. I tried to sign him for my Empoli in every way possible. In the past, he would continually lose the ball in that position, but he’s getting more accustomed to it and also makes his presence felt when defending, as he’s a really dynamic player.”
In the 1-0 win over Fiorentina and today’s 2-2 stalemate, Lazio seem to have found greater fluidity after initially almost panicking with the ball at their feet.
“It does feel like that, yes. Perhaps the demands to learn all these new things had rather blocked their confidence, but those movements are now beginning to feel more automatic and the players have greater freedom to create,” continued Sarri.
“It’s extremely difficult to play out from the back against Atalanta because of their high press. We worked really hard against Fiorentina, while this afternoon we showed great character. If we keep those elements, we can then do better in other fixtures when it comes to our passing, because that was tough today.”
Ciro Immobile equalled the all-time Lazio club record set by Silvio Piola with 159 competitive goals for the Biancocelesti.
“Ciro is generous, he keeps his mind on the game for 95 minutes and is always chasing the ball. You cannot afford a moment’s distraction with him around, if you are a defender. He works so hard for the club, I think at times too hard when defending and pressing, you almost have to hold him back!”