Marusic: ‘Lazio players already know what Sarri wants’

Adam Marusic believes Maurizio Sarri’s previous experience at Lazio can help them push through the transfer embargo. ‘We know what he wants.’

It has been a difficult summer for the Biancocelesti, who missed out on European qualification on the last day of the season, prompting the dismissal of Marco Baroni and surprising return of Sarri.

However, the coach found himself unable to sign any new players due to a transfer embargo, as the club failed three financial stress tests.

“Nuno Tavares and Provstgaard are the only players who hadn’t already worked with Sarri, so we already knew his tactics and had them in our minds,” Marusic told the official club website.

“We already know how he wants the defence to move, so it was much easier for us. I spoke to Sarri, he asked if I could help out in central defence, seeing as Patric and Gigot are injured. I’d never played there before, I said I could give it a go. I played in a back three under Simone Inzaghi, but a central defender in a four-man line is different.”

Sarri returns to Lazio after 18 months away

Because Lazio cannot bring in any new faces, they must hope that the current squad can be revitalised by the change of management.

When it comes to the attack, Marusic trusts that Matteo Cancellieri can make a real impact this season.

“Cancellieri has improved so much compared to two years ago. I also think Taty Castellanos can do well this term, along with Danilo Cataldi, who returned from his loan at Fiorentina. He too knows the coach well and what he wants.”

Sarri had walked away in March 2024 due to personal matters and needed a sabbatical to help his family through that time, but is now back in the saddle at the Stadio Olimpico.

“The coach is fired up and wants the best from us. He hasn’t changed really, he told us straight away that we have no alibis, what happens off the field doesn’t matter,” added Marusic.

“We are Lazio and must face every game trying to win. It won’t be easy, no games are, but I’ve been here for nine years and I am very proud of that.”