Sarri: ‘Reasons to enjoy Lazio challenge, but also to be annoyed’
Maurizio Sarri admits he was ‘forced to try something different’ at Lazio with the transfer embargo, so he has ‘reasons to enjoy it, a few more reasons to be annoyed, I’ll take that.’
The Biancocelesti were hoping to build some real momentum following their victory over Juventus, but while the unbeaten run extended to five games, it was a frustrating night in Pisa.
Both teams had chances and tested the goalkeepers, with Lazio getting the better of the first half, then needing Ivan Provedel to step up after the break.
Sarri forced to try something new at Lazio
“It was a midweek game, we were missing a lot of players and had others who were exhausted after a long spell of inactivity, the Lega Serie A so kindly gave us four days of rest compared to six for Pisa,” Sarri told Sky Sport Italia.
“However, our problem at the moment is that we have a depleted squad and those who are playing had been out for a long time, so are not fully fit either. We remained solid, we didn’t do enough in attack to win the game, but this will suffice right now.”
Goals are proving to be a problem for them so far this season, but the coach rejected the idea there was a problem with the centre-forwards.
“There is a problem in attacking, rather than a problem regarding the centre-forwards. Just like when we concede it is not only the fault of the central defenders, it is not just the strikers who have to work to create chances. We just hope everyone will soon be back to full fitness.”
Lazio were already decimated by injuries to Elseid Hysaj, Nuno Tavares, Matteo Cancellieri, Taty Castellanos, Samuel Gigot, Nicolò Rovella and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru.
This evening, they saw Luca Pellegrini and Mario Gila hobble off in the second half after knocks, but Toma Basic and Gustav Isaksen have been revitalised, while this was their third straight clean sheet.
“Basic had been left off the squad list for so long, but he stepped up and made an immediate impact when called upon,” noted Sarri.
“Unfortunately, Isaksen was suffering from a nasty illness like mononucleosis and it debilitated him, so he was able to play a great game four days ago, but inevitably paid for it today. We have been hanging on and trying to stay afloat since June with very little positive news, so at least we are becoming solid now, that is a plus.
“Success for us would be reaching the end of this calendar year with seven or eight players back so we can finally be competitive.”
The transfer embargo inevitably cast a shadow over Sarri’s return to Lazio, but he resisted the urge to walk away.
“I am not able to play my football at the moment, I could not change even a single player in the squad, so I was forced to try something different, and that in itself is fun for me. It gives me a fresh challenge, there are reasons to enjoy it, perhaps a few more reasons to be annoyed, but I will take that.”
Danilo Cataldi is a Lazio fan born and bred, but has he benefited from having a season out on loan at Fiorentina and returning to the club he always supported?
“Playing in Rome for someone from here is very difficult, so perhaps a year outside his natural habitat was good for him. Danilo is very intelligent, has good technique, he just needs a stronger engine and pace, then he’d be ready for any big club,” noted Sarri.
The Aquile are now in 11th place on 12 points from nine rounds, the same as Udinese and Torino.