Maurizio Sarri warns Jose Mourinho he has ‘stopped smoking’ and must see the Rome Derby as ‘a separate match from the rest of the season’ for Lazio and Roma.
It kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday at 17.00 GMT.
The Biancocelesti won the first Derby della Capitale this season against the run of form, when their rivals had a strong start to the campaign under Mourinho.
“The derby is the derby, there’s no other way of looking at it. This is a separate match from the rest of the season and must be seen as a unique event, without looking at the table,” said Sarri in his press conference.
“The teams will be fired up to the max, could not be more motivated. Naturally, we know how important it is to the fans.”
Both Mourinho and Sarri have been in charge of Chelsea and won the Scudetto in Serie A, but how is their rapport?
“I have no rivalry with him. It’s Lazio against Roma tomorrow, we mustn’t act like the coaches are more important than the teams. I spoke to Mourinho a couple of times, he made a good impression on me, as a man.”
With Lazio out of Europe and Roma playing Vitesse in the Conference League on Thursday night, Mourinho repeatedly said he was in competition while Sarri was ‘at home smoking a cigarette’ in front of the television.
“He’s a bit late to the party, I’ve stopped smoking for a few days now. I might resume again, though,” was Sarri’s response.
Mattia Zaccagni is suspended after a yellow card for simulation, with Stefan Radu on the treatment table.
Will Lazio start with Elseid Hysaj or Manuel Lazzari?
“It depends on the strategy, it’s one if we want to launch everything from the start, another if we want to hold back a bit and wait.
“The team has been more consistent in recent months and I want to hope that is part of a general growth process rather than something occasional.”
There is some tension at Lazio, because the ultras continue to criticise and insult Francesco Acerbi, wanting him out of the club simply because he made a ‘shh’ gesture towards them after scoring a goal.
“I am honestly struggling to understand why they are angry at him. You cannot take one gesture and let that wipe out years of exemplary behaviour. He is giving his all, in training and during the match.
“I hope they will understand that supporting Acerbi means supporting the team.”
#RomaLazio, #Sarri presenta il #derby in conferenza stampa https://t.co/OjzWesWVoe
— Gianluca Di Marzio (@DiMarzio) March 19, 2022