Maurizio Sarri is ‘glad to see Napoli fans happy’ after the Scudetto triumph, but insists physical fitness is not the problem behind the poor Lazio start to the season.
It kicks off at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT).
These teams were the top two last season, but are currently at complete opposite ends of the table.
While the Partenopei beat both Frosinone and Bologna, the Aquile lost to Lecce and Genoa, leaving them without a single point.
“It was a bad approach to the season and we need to pick up points, but it will be extremely difficult because we are up against the best team in Italy,” Sarri told DAZN.
“When you lose games, people nowadays tend to blame physical fitness, but I honestly don’t see that as a problem. We had a good pre-season training retreat, then started to lose intensity as time went on rather than gain it.”
Among the concerns for Lazio are that the new signings didn’t really take part in that pre-season retreat, so Daichi Kamada is the only real addition making any impact so far.
“Kamada is important for us, but he arrived late and needs time to grow.”
There was controversy yesterday when video emerged of Sarri making a lewd gesture towards some Napoli supporters in the airport, but he released a statement via the club assuring that it was aimed only at someone who had insulted him.
“These people gave me so much and I am glad to see them happy. There are a few things they never forgave me for, but they still gave me a great deal.”