Maurizio Sarri explains his tactical adjustments to get Lazio working against Lokomotiv Moscow, shrugs off Jose Mourinho and Roma, but hits back at the Lega Serie A.
The Aquile really should’ve made it a more thumping victory than 2-0, with goals from Toma Basic and Patric, as they wasted numerous other scoring opportunities and hit the bar with Pedro.
It was a necessary win after losing the opener 1-0 away to Galatasaray, but also boosts confidence further following the weekend’s Derby della Capitale Serie A success against Roma.
Europa League | Lazio 2-0 Lokomotiv Moscow: Aquile take flight
“This is a team with certain characteristics and we need to use those. They are also doing things we try in training,” Sarri told Sky Sport Italia.
“The technique has improved a great deal over the last two games, we are moving the ball much faster and so it looks better. It’s a pity we only scored two goals, but I am glad Basic and Patric were on target.
“When you start a whole new project, every team takes time to respond to what you’re asking. This was perhaps one of the toughest teams for me, because they were accustomed to a completely different style of football.
“Napoli, for instance, we already accustomed to four at the back and three upfront, so that was less of a traumatic transition.”
Another tactical key that Sarri seems to have found with this Lazio side is moving Felipe Anderson to the right and Pedro on the left of the trident.
“Maybe I’m just not very intelligent. It took me a while to get the idea. They both prefer to play on the left, but watching them play and in training, I realised this would work,” smiled Sarri.
Ciro Immobile asked to be substituted just before half-time, with Lazio already 2-0 up, and was seen with an ice-pack strapped to his right knee.
“He feels that he stopped in time. He felt a slight twinge just behind the knee, so we hope it was just a tendon that felt tweaked and not the muscle.”
Jose Mourinho was still criticising Lazio and the Derby della Capitale result even after tonight’s 3-0 Europa League win over Zorya Luhask, again insisting they had ‘dominated’ against a ‘small’ team. Sarri was asked if he wanted to respond.
“I respect Mourinho and won’t get involved in this pantomime. He has every right to believe what he wants.”
What did irritate Sarri was the Lega Serie A insisting they were giving Lazio the necessary rest period after this match, having booked them to play at Sunday lunchtime.
“I might not understand the UEFA rules, but if the Lega Serie A don’t understand the rules and statements they put out, then that’s worrying,” responded the coach.
“On top of the regulations, there is also common sense. With the teams playing in Europe on Thursday, they could at least have put us in later slots. Instead, they put us in the first available slot on the first available day.
“It’s not a nice way to treat clubs representing Italy in Europe. If they had done this to Roma or Napoli, who also played on Thursday, then I’d have been equally disturbed.”
Lazio, Sarri replica alla Lega: “Manca il buon senso. E mi preoccupa che non conoscano le loro norme” https://t.co/F3mH4xnd9h
— TUTTOmercatoWEB (@TuttoMercatoWeb) September 30, 2021
Grande Sarri! #padronidiroma
Forza Lazio! Sarri was 10/10 in the last two games.