Sarri Hails ‘Indestructible’ Lazio, Fears Midfielder Suffered an Injury

Lazio boss Maurizio Sarri was happy with his team’s performances against Juventus, despite squandering a two-goal lead.

The visitors stunned the Allianz Stadium by breaking the deadlock through Pedro just before the interval, and then doubled their lead through Gustav Isaksen’s powerful shot right after the restart. However, the Bianconeri were able to bounce back and salvage a point thanks to Pierre Kalulu’s last-minute equalizer.

After the contest, Sarri only had positive things to say about his players in his post-match chat with the journalists (via Il Messaggero). The 67-year-old insisted that Juve’s comeback was not by any means sparked by his team’s complacency.

At 0–2 there was no sense that it was over — there was a whole half to play and they were attacking with intensity. The regret is that we had the chance to make it 1–3 ten minutes from the end, and then again five minutes before the final whistle, and we didn’t take it.

When you get a point here it’s always a positive result. What I take away is the awareness that these lads are indestructible: they’re responding to every difficulty without dropping their heads.

While Sarri feels his men are doing their part, he once again urged the supporters to halt their protest against the management and return ot the Stadio Olimpico, as he doesn’t fancy playing at a virtually empty stadium as he did against Genoa.

There’s a positive atmosphere within the group; the players train with enthusiasm and passion. Playing at an empty Olimpico was a terrible feeling — we’d like certain disputes between the club and the Lazio supporters to end, because we need our fans.

The Lazio manager reserves special praise for Nuno Tavares, who returned to the starting lineup due to Luca Pellegrini’s suspension, but made the most ouf of the opportunity.

The team’s morale showed on the pitch because the lads never gave up. People can say we’re not good enough, but not that we lack character. I wouldn’t talk about individuals, but about the team’s tough performance.

The regret isn’t Juve’s equalizer — that can happen — it’s not scoring the third. On an individual level, I was pleased with Tavares’ display. With Maldini we’re working on a pathway as a centre-forward.

Sarri was forced to make three mandatory changes, as Toma Basic, Mario Gila, and Oliver Provstgaard all suffered physical problems. However, the manager is only concerned about the Croatian midfielder’s condition.

I wanted to bring on Romagnoli when Tavares had cramp, to add another aerial option. Gila and Provstgaard shouldn’t have major issues; the only real injury is Basic.

Finally, the manager ruled out a major rotation in Wednesday’s Coppa Italia tie against Bologna, while discussing the club’s objective in the competition.

Rotation? We’ll see, but I don’t think so. This isn’t a moment in the season for heavy rotation. Patric came on today despite having completed just four training sessions with the team.

Is the Coppa Italia our real objective? Well, the way you (the journalist) put it, it sounds like it’s just us and Serie B teams playing this competition. Thinking we can go and win it just because it’s an objective would be presumptuous. Finishing the season convinced that, with a couple of tweaks, the team can raise its level would be the real success.