Maurizio Sarri was ‘p***ed off’ in today’s press conference at criticism of his achievements so far. ‘Lazio don’t have much history of Champions League qualification, but we’re fifth and people act like it’s a disaster.’
The Aquile take on struggling Sassuolo tomorrow and need to get back on track after one point from three rounds, following up heavy defeats to Juventus and Lecce with a late fumble of their 2-0 lead to draw with Empoli.
“We need to stay mentally in the game for 100 minutes,” said Sarri. “I see Lazio training really well, but with the effects of those results, they have lost some of their enthusiasm and seem sad.
“It is genuinely difficult to comprehend these blackouts we have after seeing them train so well. It’s as if we hold out well physically to the end, but become passive in terms of our mentality.”
Despite acknowledging their problems, Sarri vented his frustration and more at the media in the press conference.
“I am p***ed off about this situation. I picked up a team that had fourth place as its absolute top result. We are fifth and people act like it’s a disaster.
“The last 10 years shows Lazio don’t exactly have much history of Champions League qualification. If we manage to quality, it’ll be a miraculous campaign.”
This probably isn’t what Lazio President Claudio Lotito or the fans wanted to hear, hoping that the arrival of former Napoli, Juventus and Chelsea boss Sarri would lift them to the next level.
He confirmed that Elseid Hysaj could start tomorrow against Sassuolo, as Manuel Lazzari is suspended, while he was impressed with Sergej Milinkovic-Savic improving the “percentage of vertical passes and reducing the balls he gave away.”
It would seem the reason Nicolò Casale has not featured much recently is due to a dental problem.