Lazio boss Maurizio Sarri says World Cup left nothing, ‘except publicity for Qatar’ and doesn’t know what to expect in tomorrow’s game against Lecce: ‘You saw what happened in other leagues, PSG and Tottenham lost…’
The Biancocelesti travel to the Stadio Via Del Mare for the first game of the year on Wednesday.
“I am in front of something that I had never experienced, only the lockdown was similar,” Sarri said at a press conference.
“It’s hard to predict reactions from teams coming back after such a long break and we saw it also in other leagues, PSG and Tottenham lost, and Chelsea struggled.
“Lecce are a good team, we must respect them, they’ve always played well, also against top teams.”
What does he expect from the January transfer window?
“It’s hard to improve the team and raise the bar. If you talk about Luis Alberto and Milinkovic-Savic every day, harmony can be broken, but it’s not my fault,” the ex-Juventus and Napoli boss admitted.
“Players should not be influenced. I’ve been reading that Luis Alberto and I don’t get along, but when I arrived, he wanted to leave, so it’s a situation I found here. During every transfer window, there are reports that he wants to return to Spain, but in the end, he stays and gives his help.”
The Spaniard has barely been a starter in Serie A games this term, but still managed three goals in 13 league appearances. He has four goals and two assists in 17 appearances across all competitions this term.
Ciro Immobile struggled with injuries before the World Cup break, but has now regained fitness and is ready to start against Lecce tomorrow.
“He was not at the World Cup, so he worked for a long time. He has solved his physical issues and seems in shape, said Sarri who added that he didn’t watch many World Cup games, a competition that “left nothing, except publicity for Qatar.”
“We’ve averaged two points per game and I think it’s a lot, but for now, it counts nothing,” continued the Italian tactician.
“We must continue on this level. The team feels well, usually the second part of the season is always more difficult.”
Lazio currently sit fourth in the Serie A table, level on points with Inter and 11 points below table leaders Napoli. They’ve won nine of their opening 15 Serie A games, collecting three draws and as many defeats.