Maurizio Sarri expects his Lazio side to face difficulties in their clash with Scudetto hopefuls Milan but also believes in their chances against the defending champions.
The Rossoneri sit 12 points behind league leaders Napoli and will be desperate to pick up all three points in their clash with the Biancocelesti as they look to keep up the pressure on the Campania side.
Lazio have only won two of their last five Serie A outings and will be keeping an eye on the top four race as they prepare to host Milan.
Speaking in a press conference, Sarri first discussed what he wants from his Lazio side in the clash with Milan.
“First of all, don’t be superficial and have the awareness of facing the Italian champions. They have always put us in difficulty, we can’t think we won’t encounter difficulties.
“They’ll be a more motivated team than usual. The match offers us a great opportunity, this must also be in our minds. We have to take advantage of that.”
He touched on if Felipe Anderson was playing a similar role to Dries Mertens in Sarri’s Napoli.
“He is strong and can do well anywhere. Dries is perhaps more offensive and attacks the penalty area better. Felipe can give us a lot as a wide player. He lacks little, he is a strong player who, unlike last years, is finding consistency.”
The 63-year-old Italian coach gave his thoughts on Juventus’ 15-point deduction.
“We don’t have to think about it, it’s a completely evolving situation. Last night I saw two very very strong teams.
“The objective is to give 100%. I haven’t heard any comments from the players about Juventus’ penalty. For us it’s irrelevant.”
Sarri spoke about how Lazio have changed since their three losses to the Rossoneri last season.
“Hopefully we have grown a lot. In a single game we can compete with anyone. Last year they showed they were stronger, even last year in the third game when for an hour we were level.
“We will evaluate tomorrow how much we have grown and how long we can stay in the game.”
He commented on his plans for an attack without talismanic striker Ciro Immobile.
“We need more forwards at this level to have more rotation. If we keep playing with these three every game, sooner or later, we’ll pay for it.”
The Italian coach touched on the condition of Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.
“In the last two games he has played more seriously and less spectacularly. He has taken the right path.
“If he continues to play with this application, taking away some frivolities, when he returns to playing 100% he will give us a big hand.”
He also gave his thoughts on the work of former Milan captain Alessio Romagnoli.
“By characteristics he is particularly suited to how I want the line to move. He leads the defence in a careful and applied manner. I’m very happy with him.”
Sarri discussed the importance of tomorrow’s match for Lazio’s mentality.
“These are important matches, they definitely leave some positive or negative marks. But the strength of a team is to look ahead.
“Then we will play every three days, so it’s useless to be influenced by what has happened. The hope is that we don’t get pregnant under any circumstances.”
He joked about the January transfer window.
“We’ll talk about it in the evening at dinner… we’ll talk about it and organise ourselves. The cheese stall is usually next to the meat stall, if you need it, I’ll take you there.
“I don’t care, I have to play Milan tomorrow. Right now, the only thing I can do is to get Immobile back.”
He provided an update on Immobile’s condition.
“Tomorrow or Wednesday he’ll have more checks. The feelings are good, let’s hope the good feelings are confirmed by the tests.”
Finally, Sarri discussed what Lazio lack as they try to follow in Milan’s footsteps.
“Give yourself an answer. Milan are a very strong team, they signed strong youngsters. And then they were able to spend €28m on De Ketelaere, it means theirs is a sustainable difficulty.
“They have made an extraordinary path, they have grown, the club has intervened to improve the team. They were in decline, in three years they have turned the team around, but it’s not just an economic issue.”