Maurizio Sarri says that his players need to focus on their mental approach to Wednesday evening’s Coppa Italia final against Serie A champions Inter, who beat the Biancocelesti 3-0 in the league on Saturday: “If the mental attitude is the same as it was on Saturday, then tactics count for nothing.”
Sarri previews Lazio vs. Inter Coppa Italia final
Underdogs Lazio, ninth in Serie A, are preparing to take on recently-crowned Serie A champions Inter in Wednesday evening’s Coppa Italia final. Sarri’s side have defeated Milan, Bologna and Atalanta, the latter two on penalties, in order to qualify for tomorrow’s final, while the Nerazzurri have overcome Venezia, Torino and Como over the course of the season.
Given the respective league positions of the two Coppa Italia finalists, Inter were already the clear favourites, and that was only solidified when the Nerazzurri beat the Biancocelesti 3-0 in Serie A over the weekend.
Sarri, speaking in his pre-match press conference on Tuesday evening, admitted his side put in a ‘sh**’ performance on Saturday, and says that he has several doubts about his starting line-up as a result.
There are also doubts about the availability of Danilo Cataldi, who has only returned to training on the eve of the final.
“Cataldi did his first training session with us this morning, he’s doing a little better in terms of the injury,” Sarri told the media during his pre-match press conference. “Medical conditions are one thing, but physical availability is another. He hasn’t trained for the last month, he can’t do a long shift.
“I have eight or nine doubts after Saturday’s game. We did so badly that there is no need to look at individual performances. We conceded the game, a sh** performance and the same result.
ROME, ITALY – APRIL 27: SS Lazio head coach Maurizio Sarri during the Serie A match between SS Lazio and Udinese Calcio at Stadio Olimpico on April 27, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)
“There’s no particular work or training you can do in just a few days, we have to hope that what we saw on Saturday is just a mental thing. We hope to see a team with a different mental approach and therefore a completely different team.”
Despite his frustration at Saturday’s performance, Sarri says that he is proud of the resilience his team have shown over the course of the season, especially in the cup and in the absence of their protesting supporters at various stages of the season.
“I’m proud of the team’s attitude more than anything. They made a few mistakes but haven’t given up this season. The biggest motivation for tomorrow’s game is the team itself, they deserve to win this final after a great journey. The team crossed the desert with no water and that is a source of satisfaction.
“We look different compared to the start of the season and I think we’re a different team for the better. We can be poor as coaches and players, but not as people.”
ROME, ITALY – APRIL 27: Pedro of Lazio celebrates scoring his team’s second goal with teammates during the Serie A match between SS Lazio and Udinese Calcio at Stadio Olimpico on April 27, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
Sarri has lost two cup finals previously, once in Italy with Juventus in 2019, and once in the EFL Cup final with Chelsea in 2019 in a game that became infamous for a misunderstanding with goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, who appeared to ‘refuse’ to come off towards the end of extra-time. Sarri says that the cup final defeat with Chelsea is the biggest sore-point of his career.
“I’ve already lost two national cup competitions on penalties, in England, even after seven penalties, and that’s the one I regret the most. In the 120 minutes, we deserved more against a team like Manchester City.”
Sarri claims that he isn’t too fussed about winning the Coppa Italia on a personal level, but says that he wants his team to win for themselves and for the club’s supporters.
“This is a trophy that belongs to the players and the supporters. It’s true that we’ve played in an empty stadium this season, but even for (the fans), it can’t have been easy not coming to the stadium. Personally, after a long career behind me, I think this trophy won’t change my life, but it would be nice for the players and for the fans.”
Sarri also admitted that it is difficult to find the right words to motivate his players on the eve of a cup final.
FLORENCE, ITALY – APRIL 13: Maurizio Sarri manager of SS Lazio looks on during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and SS Lazio at Artemio Franchi on April 13, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
“After lunch today, I was preparing for tonight’s meeting and I was struggling to find the right words. It’s a very clear game to prepare for, any words are just rhetoric. That’s difficult for me and for the team.
“We need humility, courage, and to forget about Saturday’s game. Any words I say in a meeting tonight are almost unnecessary, I consider it a useless meeting. The guys already know what it takes. They have to believe in it, believe in it to the point of madness.”
Lazio will be hoping that Pedro is able to continue his impressive record of goals in cup finals, but his influence will have to come off the substitutes bench on this occasion.
“Pedro was bruised until this morning. He did part of today’s training and will make himself available. He’s usually a specialist in these sorts of games, he’s scored in 80% of the finals he’s played in and he gives everything. We hope he does it tomorrow as well, but he’s had bruising and he’s only ready for part of the game.”
And a word for Inter head coach Cristian Chivu, who is aiming for a domestic double in his first full season as a head coach: “He’s had good personality in his approach. Obviously they have a very strong team but I think they’ve made the most of it in the right way. Leading a strong team when they should be winning is important. Inter were clearly the strongest team this year.”
ROME, ITALY – MAY 09: FC Internazionale head coach Cristian Chivu looks on during the Serie A match between SS Lazio and FC Internazionale at Stadio Olimpico on May 09, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
Sarri went on to make it clear that the mentality of his players is the most important thing to focus on ahead of tomorrow’s final.
“If the mental attitude is the same as it was on Saturday, then tactics count for nothing. If you defend with your eyes without challenging for the ball, there are no tactics to take into consideration. We’ve prepared differently, we will see if it will work or not, but it depends on the mental side of things.”
And lastly, on the absence of the fans in recent weeks, Sarri said: “Warming up recently has definitely been a bit depressing. From this point of view, it can definitely help the team. As I’ve always answered to this question, I don’t know how much it has cost us (financially) not having the fans, but it has definitely cost us points.”
