Lazio’s head coach, Maurizio Sarri, is bracing for a challenging encounter as his team prepares to face Inter Milan this Sunday. Despite a recent six-match unbeaten streak, Sarri acknowledges that the Biancocelesti will have their hands full against a formidable opponent at San Siro.
In his pre-match statements, Sarri painted a clear picture of the uphill battle his squad faces. He emphasized that Inter, alongside Napoli, are currently the strongest teams in Serie A, and he believes that the quality gap between Lazio and these clubs has widened. “This will be a very difficult match for us,” Sarri remarked, acknowledging the task ahead. He stressed the importance of going into the game with both motivation and humility, recognizing that a result against Inter would be a significant achievement, defying logical expectations.
Sarri also provided updates on key player Alessio Romagnoli, noting that his availability will depend on his performance in Saturday morning’s training session. Should Romagnoli be unable to play, Sarri expressed confidence in Oliver Provstgaard as a quality replacement, albeit one who lacks experience. “Oliver has qualities and fierce commitment; he will surely bring his potential to the team,” he added.
Furthermore, Sarri defended striker Boulaye Dia amid criticism over his goal-scoring drought. He believes that Dia has been fulfilling crucial roles for the team, highlighting that while goals are expected from forwards, Dia’s contributions have nonetheless been vital. Sarri remains hopeful that Dia will find his scoring touch soon, given his evident abilities.
The coach also mentioned Tijjani Noslin, whose position remains somewhat ambiguous within the team. Sarri indicated that Noslin might only feature as a starter if an attacking emergency arises, due to his undefined role as a player who embodies traits of various forward positions.
In closing, Sarri offered praise for Inter’s head coach Cristian Chivu as they prepare for their first encounter on the sidelines. As the match approaches, both coaches will be keen to showcase their strategies and ambitions for their respective teams.
Lazio enters this match with a determination to challenge the odds, and while the task is daunting, they aim to seize the moment and perform to their highest potential.