Maurizio Sarri was cross with Lazio after defeat to Atletico Madrid, reiterating the squad’s ‘mentality is not at the right level’ for the Champions League, but still wants Barcelona in the Round of 16.
The Aquile had already qualified for the Round of 16 and knew that only a victory at the Wanda Metropolitano would guarantee first place, therefore avoiding the other group winners in the draw on Monday.
Instead, Antoine Griezmann scored after Adam Marusic lost the ball with a weak tackle and Samuel Lino completed the 2-0 scoreline after the restart.
“I am a bit angry at the fact we came here against a side of a high level, we paid for every single mistake and we failed to make the most of every single opportunity, because we had chances to score too,” Sarri told Sky Sport Italia.
“I am disappointed at the approaches to the two halves, because there was a huge gap in the level of determination seen from the two teams in the first 10 minutes of each half.
“In all honesty, in the middle of the first half, I thought we could get an equaliser by half-time, as we had got the game in hand.”
It was always going to be a tough ask, as Atletico Madrid have now won their last 20 games on home turf.
Now Lazio go through as second seeds, so will be drawn against one of Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Barcelona, Manchester City, Real Madrid and Real Sociedad.
“The only big club I’ve not faced yet in my career is probably Barcelona.”
Sarri was asked if he could also beat Barcelona in terms of possession statistics?
“That might be trickier! I would love to visit Camp Nou, though.”
The coach already caused controversy yesterday by suggesting it was a ‘miracle’ Lazio had reached the Champions League Round of 16, so could they even make it to the quarter-finals without the pressure to deliver?
“In the first 10 minutes of each half, I feel like we played too free of pressure. It was entirely absent, if anything,” he shrugged.
It was put to Sarri yet again that Lazio qualified because of a determination that has been sorely lacking in Serie A, for example the Ivan Provedel equaliser with Atletico Madrid and comeback to win at Celtic Park in stoppages.
“We proved in recent years too that we struggle mentally to sustain more than one competition. Last season we were poor in Europe and more determined in Serie A, this year it is the other way around.
“That still shows that our mentality is not at the right level. I agree with that.”