Lazio manager Maurizio Sarri was disappointed with the outcome as his team fell short against Inter Milan in the Coppa Italia final.
Lazio Suffer 0-2 Defeat to Inter Milan in Coppa Italia Final
The domestic cup represented the Biancocelesti’s last remaining path to Europe. However, an own goal from Adam Marusic and a Nuno Tavares blunder gifted the Nerazzurri a healthy two-goal lead in the first half, which they were able to preserve.
Maurizio Sarri Explains How Lazio Approached the Final
In his post-match press conference (via Il Messaggero), Sarri insisted that Lazio fared better compared to Saturday’s dress rehearsal when they lost 0-3 to Inter, explaining the tactical adjustments he made. The 67-year-old instructed his players to sit deep this time, but acknowledged that the Nerazzurri’s superior quality made the difference, in addition to the mistakes committed by his own players.
The gap on Saturday was much clearer. With the goalkeeper involved in the build-up they cut through us too easily, so initially we decided to lower the defensive line because they start with extremely high intensity that they can’t maintain for 90 minutes. We conceded very little apart from possession, but then we gifted them two goals and everything collapsed. In the second half we could have reopened it but failed to do so. We must acknowledge we were facing a technically far stronger opponent.
Sarri Opens Up on Special Bond with Lazio
While his future remains shrouded in mystery, Sarri took the opportunity to emphasize his special bond with Lazio and its supporters.
There are two or three environments where I integrated so deeply that I became a supporter myself. I have the habit of fully immersing myself in the cities and clubs I grow attached to. For me, feeling like a Laziale is completely natural. In other places I never managed that.
Sarri Urges Lazio to Sign Quality Players
The Tuscan manager also highlighted the need to invest in new players and raise the quality of the squad to compete for European places next season.
We are in a phase where doing well domestically is what matters most. This isn’t the time for unrealistic fantasies. We need to rebuild from a high-level league season. There’s no other way. This group has important mental qualities. But it’s obvious the squad needs more technical quality, there’s no point hiding it. To compete with five or six top Italian teams, we are still lacking quite a lot.
Sarri Threatens to Boycott Roma Derby
Finally, Sarri reiterated his desire not to show up for this weekend’s Derby della Capitale against Roma if the oragnizers insist on scheduling this match on Sunday’s early kickoff.
If it’s played on Sunday, I’m not coming — and if I were the president, I wouldn’t even send the team. We’d take the one-point deduction and leave it at that. Lega Serie A made enormous mistakes, scheduling the Turin derby during the ATP Finals and now the Rome derby during one of the biggest tennis tournaments. The Prefect was clear, and nobody apologized for the mistake.
When Will the Derby della Capitale Be Played?
The Lega Serie A initially scheduled all five Serie A contests involving clubs fighting for European places on Sunday at 12:30. However, the Prefect of Rome refused to authorize this time slot for the Derby, as it overlaps with the final of the Italian Open, which takes place at the nearby Tennis courts, requesting the match to be played on Monday.
The Lega Serie A decided to appeal the decision at the Administrative Court, so the final schedule remains pending.
