Lazio director Igli Tare warns Maurizio Sarri ‘needs time’ to bring his style of football to the club ahead of today’s UEFA Europa League opener against Galatasaray.
It kicks off at 17.45 UK time (16.45 GMT), you can follow the build-up and action as it happens on the LIVEBLOG.
Europa Liveblog: Galatasaray-Lazio, Leicester-Napoli and Roma-CSKA
The Biancocelesti begin their Europa League campaign, but are fresh from the first defeat in Serie A under Sarri, 2-0 away to Milan.
“It takes time, because this change was started three months ago. We made this choice aware that we needed a change and that we needed time,” Tare told Sky Sport Italia.
“You can see the intensity and the quick passing in training, but not quite yet in the games. In the first two matches, we reacted well to conceding early and turned them around. The defeat to Milan was more of a surprise, as we had worked really well in training and saw the players eager to do well, then they did the opposite in the match situation.
“This is a very competitive tournament that has improved a great deal, I’d say looking at our group that it’s almost on the level of the Champions League. We want to start well and bring home three points.”
Sarri is a completely different coach to predecessor Simone Inzaghi and brings a 4-3-3 formation after years of 3-5-2, but he is also a coach who has won the Europa League with Chelsea.
“When we made the choice for Sarri, we were aware that it was not a simple path. We’ve got to know a very well-prepared person with remarkable experience. The team follows him like soldiers and he is happy with the way the players are working. Now we both hope to go as far as possible in every tournament.”
Tare was asked if this team could move to a 4-3-1-2 at times, or if the squad was built specifically for a 4-3-3.
“It depends on the midfielders. When you have two attacking midfielders like Milinkovic and Luis Alberto, it becomes difficult to play with a trequartista and two strikers. Our first system is 4-3-3, then maybe during some games we could adjust to a 4-3-1-2.”
Mattia Zaccagni gets his first start in the Lazio jersey after a deadline day transfer from Hellas Verona.
“He is a player who can also work in midfield, but above all we signed him for the trident attack. He has the right characteristics for Sarri’s football, he can both attack and defend, so this will be an important test for him. I too am curious to see how he does, but we mustn’t put too much pressure on, as he too must be given time.”
Le parole di #Tare prima di #GalatasarayLazio 👇🏻https://t.co/chTKPKJJ6L
— Lazionews.eu (@LazionewsEu) September 16, 2021