Feyenoord coach Arne Slot highlighted how Lazio ‘had more time to prepare’ for their key Champions League clash.
The Eredivisie outfit cruised to a 3-1 win over the Biancocelesti in their first meeting on October 25, a result that piles the pressure on Maurizio Sarri’s ahead of the return matches in Group E.
Feyenoord have been in strong form in the Eredivisie this season and currently sit third in the table after 11 games, picking up 26 points from eight wins and two draws. Their only defeat came to Twente back on October 29.
Speaking in a press conference via TMW, Slot first discussed Sarri’s honesty regarding Feyenoord’s dominance in their win over Lazio.
“It’s always nice to hear what I thought too. In the first leg, perhaps our best game of the season. Now nothing changes for tomorrow, the other year we had nothing to say here.
“I think I have enough experience to know what changes between playing at home and away.”
He spoke about Biancocelesti captain Ciro Immobile and the threat he poses.
“Great strikers don’t have to be in top form to score goals. If I remember correctly a fortnight ago, he scored 200 goals and that says enough about him.
“He has a lot of quality, and we have to be careful not to let him have many chances. The other forward (Castellanos, ed.) is also very good. It’s a big change from last year for Lazio.”
Finally, Slot discussed the atmosphere he expects at the Stadio Olimpico and Lazio’s preparations.
“The stadium won’t be full. They have had more time to prepare for the game. Feyenoord are one of the most aggressive teams in Europe.
“Against both Lazio and Roma we won at home and lost away. Against Lazio, we had an impressive game, the other two we did less well in the league.”
Lazio drew Atletico Madrid and beat Celtic before their defeat to Feyenoord, performances they’ll have to replicate at the Stadio Olimpico this week.