Lazio boss Maurizio Sarri is unhappy with La Gazzetta Dello Sport’s frontpage on Tuesday that linked Sergej Milinkovic-Savic with a January move to Juventus: ‘Italian Press is biased.’
The Serbia international is arguably the best midfielder in Serie A, having already contributed to nine goals thanks to his three goals and six assists in the opening nine rounds.
“I think there is too much noise around him,” Sarri said at a press conference on the eve of a Europa League clash against Strum Graz.
“The day after our 4-0 win [against Fiorentina], a paper put his name on their frontpage talking about transfers.
“[Italian Cyclist] Filippo Ganna has established a new incredible record, but in order to know something more about it, I had to search on specialised websites. This makes you understand how much the vision of the Italian Press is biased.
“Milinkovic has room for improvement and you can see that from how many balls he loses.”
Lazio President Claudio Lotito has warned Milinkovic-Savic suitors today that the Biancocelesti star won’t leave for less than €120m.
Sarri doesn’t seem to be a fan of rotations, either.
“I don’t like the word turnover. It’s an idea that we only have in Italy. English teams always play with the same 11 players and they play more than us.
“Perhaps, we waste more energy here, but they are accustomed to playing every three days, so the mental recovery is quicker. The only moment we have to prepare for the game is tomorrow morning and I don’t like this. We are forced to do so because of the World Cup, so we have to adapt.”
The Biancocelesti have had a brilliant start to the season, collecting 20 points in nine games, only three fewer than table leaders Napoli.
They have the second-best attack in the league after the Partenopei, having netted 21 goals so far, and the less-beaten defence along with Atalanta, with five goals conceded each.
Lazio host Strum Graz at the Stadio Olimpico tomorrow after their 4-0 win against Fiorentina at the Stadio Franchi.
“To me, we played a good game technically but not tactically,” said Sarri.
“We sat too deep and conceded too many opportunities. Sometimes I was happy with the performances after defeats. I always say what I think, I am not here to create enthusiasm.”