Sarri: ‘Lazio fans made it a memorable night regardless’ of 1-0 victory over Milan
Maurizio Sarri said that the return of Lazio fans to the Stadio Olimpico after weeks of protest made it ‘a memorable night regardless of the result’ of their victory over Milan.
It was already a positive night before kick-off, as the fans suspended their boycott in protest at President Claudio Lotito, and returned to the stands of the Stadio Olimpico.
They helped inspire the team to a huge victory, as Gustav Isaksen shrugged off Pervis Estupinan to beat Mike Maignan in what proved to be the only goal of the game.
Sarri emotional at Lazio atmosphere
“The whole night was emotional, as seeing the Stadio Olimpico with this spectacular atmosphere and these fans was wonderful. I am so happy that the team gave them this joy of a victory, but it would’ve been a memorable night regardless of the result,” Sarri told DAZN Italia.
“I feel that we should’ve finished the first half with more than a one-goal advantage, so if there was a criticism of our performance, it’s that,” responded the coach.
“Clearly, we couldn’t maintain the intensity of that half, and had limited options to take off the bench, so that made it difficult as it wore on.”
With a large injury crisis ruling out Danilo Cataldi, Alessio Romagnoli, Ivan Provedel, Toma Basic, Nicolò Rovella and Samuel Gigot, Sarri seems to have found a worthy replacement midfielder in Gil Patric.
“I wouldn’t use this match for comparison to any other this season, because the lads were galvanised and motivated by the return of the fans,” insisted the coach.
“The atmosphere at the Olimpico was special tonight. This is a team that is improving in many areas, and we hope to lay solid foundations for the future.”
Sarri was sent off deep into stoppages for dissent, largely as he was complaining that the six minutes of added time had already expired.
It has been a difficult campaign with issues off the field, including a transfer embargo he had not been expecting, and the on-going tension between the fans and President Lotito.
“It has been certainly the most difficult season of perhaps not my career, as I had tough ones in Serie C, but certainly the toughest in Serie A. The squad also needs to be praised, because they could’ve fallen apart, but they have overall kept training with the right attitude and maintaining their character.”
Can this night potentially change the atmosphere around Lazio for the final weeks of the season, including the Coppa Italia semi-final with Atalanta?
“I don’t know, to be honest. What I heard from the fans is that this was a one-off, but I hope this wonderful atmosphere struck them as much as it struck us, and that the situation can be fixed, although I don’t know how quickly that can happen,” confessed Sarri.
“I don’t want to make an appeal to the fans, because when people make decisions, they are to be respected, even when those decisions are painful.”