Igor Tudor was all smiles after Lazio’s important win over Empoli and opened up about the drama with Luis Alberto.
The Biancocelesti bounced back from their frustrating 2-2 draw against Monza with an impressive 2-0 win over the Tuscan outfit, a key result in their fight to secure a spot in the Europa League. Goals from Patric and Matias Vecino secured all three points for the home side.
Ahead of the match, Tudor decided to drop Luis Alberto from the Lazio squad for disciplinary reasons, linked to an alleged lucrative offer from Qatar. The Spanish midfielder will almost certainly leave the club in the summer, having previously confirmed his intentions.
Speaking in a press conference (via La Lazio Siamo Noi), Tudor first reacted to Lazio’s 2-0 win over Empoli.
For me it was a great match on a beautiful day of celebrations. What happened before the match was exciting, we ended the day with a victory against an organized team that wasn’t easy, the boys played in the dry heat, one thinks it’s a given that Empoli comes and you win.
But nothing is a given, both as players and as men, with pride, courage and sacrifice. A beautiful victory that brings us closer to the finish line.
He confirmed he felt emotional during the celebrations.
Yes, when I saw the fans and the flags. Many fans. The boys felt this energy, it gave them a boost. I also experienced it with them.
Tudor was asked about the Luis Alberto drama.
I train the team all week and choose based on the week and what I see. Then the evaluations are made. Nothing more and nothing less. The last games are approaching with other things in between, heat and pressure and everything becomes different.
Today the boys gave everything, I saw it from the first second. There were people who cared, even on the bench. This is what interests me, then football and quality can always be discussed.
I want to focus on the values that came out today, on a day when it was 30 degrees. They gave everything, if they hadn’t done it, we wouldn’t have won.
He analysed the team’s performance.
The first half we weren’t so dangerous due to our pace, with this dry heat it penalized us. Then the goalkeeper made important saves today. We did well to score two goals.
Let’s move forward, we’re happy. We have confidence and optimism, the desire to stay on track in these last two races. Then when it’s over we’ll sit down and take stock.
Finally, Tudor was asked for his ideal attacking midfielder, which would replace Luis Alberto.
This is not the time to talk about that, we need to stay focused. They were fantastic, they did well these fifty days with me. I give everyone a 10. Two games left, then we’ll see.
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