Maurizio Sarri highlighted his desire to avoid playing matches behind closed doors this season ahead of Lazio’s game against Inter tomorrow.
The Nerazzurri did not play against Bologna on Thursday after the local health authority blocked the Rossoblu from participating, and the COVID situation is now the hot topic, with reports that matches could return to being played behind closed doors in order to try and control the pandemic.
Speaking to gathered reporters in a press conference, Sarri first discussed the team’s electric 3-3 draw with Empoli on Thursday.
“What I regret is that the result influences the judgement on the performance. In attack we weren’t headstrong, but we had quality.
“At the back we’re making a few too many mistakes, both individually and as a department, and I’m not just referring to the defenders.”
“We are having problems in our approach. We are working on it, but I don’t think we underestimated the game against Empoli. The first goal we conceded was accidental, the second wasn’t, we concede it in training too often.”
He was still waiting to sign a contract extension with Lazio. President Claudio Lotito wants to confirm the 62-year-old Italian coach’s position in Rome and to make a sign that he’s fully invested in the project.
“I don’t know if the contract has arrived, I didn’t phone my lawyer before the game. If it arrives, we’ll sign it.”
Sarri looked ahead to tomorrow evening’s match against Simone Inzaghi’s Inter.
“It’s a difficult match, but I’d like to see a courageous Lazio. Inter are strong, they have extraordinary stats and the San Siro is not an easy stadium to play in.”
Finally, Sarri gave his thoughts on the COVID situation and the possibility that matches will be played behind closed doors again.
“COVID affects everyone’s life, not just sport. If this pandemic is dangerous there should be a total lockdown, otherwise it will be downgraded to a flu and people will stay at home with a fever.
“I just hope that we don’t end up with a closed stadium, it makes people who are as passionate as I am lose the desire to go on the pitch.”
#SerieA | #Lazio, le parole di Maurizio #Sarri in conferenza stampahttps://t.co/5gXDo2lQHd
— Gianluca Di Marzio (@DiMarzio) January 8, 2022