Maurizio Sarri wants Lazio to do better in the second half of the season despite the incredibly poor January transfer window.
Hundreds of Lazio fans protested outside the club’s training ground in Formello yesterday, expressing their discontent over the lack of signings made in last month’s transfer market; only winger Jovane Cabral of Sporting was brought in to strengthen Sarri’s squad. Media reports have suggested that the Italian coach is furious with the club’s management.
Speaking to gathered reporters in a press conference, Sarri first discussed Lazio’s growth defensively this season.
“Tomorrow we’ll measure ourselves in this aspect, according to the statistics 81 chances in 10 games. Let’s see if we’ve grown, the team has a better defensive line, they’re tighter and more compact. A difficult test.”
The 63-year-old Italian coach does not feel as if this is a delicate moment for him or the team.
“No, in the last 12 games we’ve lost to Sassuolo and Inter, our performances are improving. I don’t consider it delicate.”
Sarri discussed the fallout of last month’s disappointing transfer window.
“I’ll save you the trouble of asking, you made the point. The transfer market is over, stop. It’s useless to talk about it, any discussion can turn against the team, so there’s nothing more to say.
“We have to do better with these players, that possibility is there. At this moment the team I would keep out of excuses and history, the transfer market is closed and we must do better.”
He commented on the team’s mood recently. The Italian coach took the players out to lunch in Rome earlier this week.
“It was something we had been told to do for some time, a barbecue idea, it wasn’t possible, so we went out for lunch. The mood is good, as far as serenity in the group is concerned I think it’s a good moment.”
The former Chelsea and Napoli coach gave his thoughts on new signing Jovane.
“Let’s see what he can give us. I have followed him very little, to be honest, but the staff have followed him. At the moment he is physically behind, he had an injury lasting 45 days.
“We’ve tried him out in the last few days as a winger, then we’ll see if he can play as a forward. But Felipe Anderson, with his characteristics, can also play as a centre forward.”
He commented on the last time that he spoke to president Claudio Lotito.
“Yes, two or three days ago. It’s a very direct relationship. I tell him what I think and he does the same. Am I unhappy? I don’t fall into traps, I’m 63 years old.”
Sarri discussed Lazio’s incredibly busy February; the Biancocelesti will play seven games in a 22-day window.
“Now we’re thinking about Fiorentina, then we’ll think about the others. Tomorrow will be very difficult, the performance of the Viola speaks for itself. You have to be very concentrated, they approach matches in a maximum and violent way.”
He touched on the physical conditions of defenders Francesco Acerbi and Stefan Radu.
“Acerbi is still working alone, I think he could be back with us in a few days, but I’m not sure until the next check-up on Tuesday or Wednesday. Radu is quite well, he’s in line with the last period.”
The 63-year-old Italian coach had little to say about young defender Dimitrije Kamenovic, who was the only other player registered for the Serie A squad last month.
“He has to solve bureaucratic problems, he’s not with us at the moment.”
Finally, Sarri discussed midfielder Toma Basic following his experience being robbed at gunpoint in Rome earlier this week.
“I saw him and he was as pale as a sheet! He was a bit shaken up by the incident, but that’s normal, he had a gun pointed at him. He was already calm on the pitch today.”
Le parole di mister #Sarri alla vigilia del match #FiorentinaLazio https://t.co/Aiu1NhTrAr
— LazioNews24.com (@LazioNews_24) February 4, 2022