06 December 2019
“It will be an important Matchday for the teams high up in the table, I hope that our motivations are high,” these were the opening remarks of Mister Sarri ahead of tomorrow’s Serie A outing against Lazio.
“They are a strong team with great quality. They are the best in Italy and amongst the best in Europe for getting into the last 25 meters. We need to keep them away from our area because they are very dangerous,” he added. “Tomorrow, I expect a strong approach from Lazio, who will be very determined. We will have to resist it, come out and dictate the game how we want to. Based on the average amount of points that they are picking up, Lazio have to be in the conversation for the fight for top."
Speaking ahead of the fixture, he went on to add:
STATUS OF THE TEAM
It's normal that after Champions League games there's a drop in energy, mentality and confidence, but from what I've seen in training I'm confident. As always, we have to respond on the pitch, getting three points is always important regardless of the game. Injuries happen during a season. Rabiot is better and seems to be recovering, even if he has been slowed down and yet to find peak condition.
BERNARDESCHI’S FORM
Bernardeschi is an extremely sensitive lad and the differences in his performances on the road prove this. He mustn't be influenced by anything or anyone because he's an important player. I don't need to let him rest; I need to encourage him.
ON CAN & KHEDIRA
The exclusion from the Champions League squad was hard to take for Emre Can, but he knows that he will be very useful in Serie A. The loss of Sami Khedira is heavy, but his knee had deteriorated in a non-normal way.
TO FRONT THREE OR NOT?
Right now playing three forwards is difficult due to the characteristics of the players. The stats say that right now all that Bentancur is missing is goals. He is a player of quantity and quality, with good technique and still room to improve. You can't prohibit Dybala from dropping deep, and at the same time Cristiano's characteristics are not to play too central. We must take some precautions to fill the penalty area more.
