Maurizio Sarri was satisfied with Lazio’s growth this season but refused to discuss a second place finish in Serie A after the win over Spezia.
The Biancocelesti cruised to a comfortable 3-0 win away to the Aquilotti, with goals coming from Ciro Immobile, Felipe Anderson and Marcos Antonio. It was a mature and focused display from Sarri’s side, who are on track to secure Champions League qualification.
Sarri’s Lazio have now won eight of their last nine Serie A outings, giving them a slight cushion from the other teams fighting for a spot in the Champions League.
Speaking to Sky Sports Italia after the match, Sarri first discussed Lazio’s win over Spezia and how his team have grown this season.
“The second goal was beautiful, but at a certain point I was worried because no one was shooting at goal.
“I’m also happy for Marcos Antonio, who is a top player, I’m having a hard time fitting him into our midfield because we have very offensive characteristics and so at times we need physicality, but if anyone comes to watch the training sessions it’s a spectacle when we play tight games.
“We’ve been aiming to become less cocky and less superficial for a long time. The ability to stay on the ball in difficult moments has grown considerably, but in the first seven or eight minutes I was afraid that we took the game a bit too lightly.”
He was asked about the state of the game in the first 15 minutes.
“We found a particular environment and size of the pitch, then the opposing team was aggressive. They put us in trouble especially in the first ten minutes, then we came out on the dribble and took it back in hand.”
The Biancocelesti coach touched on his satisfaction with the team’s attacking movements.
“We are satisfied because the team has developed positively, but between satisfaction and fulfilment there is a difference.
“It would be a mistake to think that it is easy to get to the finish line, you have to stay focused, satisfaction only comes with the goal.”
Sarri was also asked how much a second-place finish with Lazio would mean to him.
“Everyone forgets that I’ve also been promoted seven times in the lower divisions, it’s not always the media dimension of the event that corresponds to internal satisfaction.
“I have also had satisfaction in Serie B, Serie C and Serie D. Being born in Naples, a bit of superstition has remained with me, and I won’t give the answer.”
Finally, Sarri discussed Lazio’s growth since his arrival and his satisfaction with the team.
“I’m back to enjoying myself during the week. The team is doing well in matches, but especially in training, I’ve seen a remarkable change in mentality. The fact that I’m back to having fun I can also pass on to the players.
“There are players who are growing in an important way. If you look at the league table from nine games ago, it’s completely different from where we are now, we have to stay focused on the goal, without looking at our current position.”