ROME. The first hit Maurizio Sarri sends it to the French Minister of the Interior Gerald Darmamin, after his anti-fascist order with which he motivated the ban on travel to Marseille for all Lazio fans and to which the coach replies as follows: “If Lazio are so dangerous ? If I were Lotito I would tell the French minister to come and see Lazio’s matches at the Olimpico. He would understand by himself that he said bullshit ». Euphemisms aside, the technician’s other message is to the company that it would be willing to immediately extend the contract expiring next year: «It will be evaluated next week, if the president thinks so. But these days we have other things to think about. I can say that I feel great at Lazio, I like the club and the people who work there, ”says the Biancoceleste coach.
Leaving diplomacy aside, Lazio is expected to play a “difficult” match tomorrow night at the Velodrome “which can be decisive”. After the 0-0 in the first leg that leaves Lazio second to 4 points in the group but only one distance ahead of the hosts, Sarri expects another battle: “They showed great dribbling qualities in the first leg – explained the Lazio coach – but coming to the Velodrome and expecting a simple race would be crazy. French football is now very close to our Serie A with excellences perhaps superior to our league. We don’t expect anything simple, but we knew from the start that it was a very difficult group ». In doubt Ciro Immobile: «In addition to an intestinal virus, he has a problem with his collateral ligament that is not extremely dangerous but painful – specifies the Biancoceleste coach – This morning he was fine to run straight but still had some problems with changes of direction. We’ll see if he will make it or not ».
Vedat Muriqi should play in his place, while in midfield possible rest for Milinkovic with Basic in his place with Cataldi and Luis Alberto: “I chose Lazio because they are a great club – admitted the Croatian midfielder – The decision was easy to make . Even for my career, Serie A is a step forward compared to Ligue 1. I’m here to learn new things and improve myself. There are many players to inspire me, if I have to say one I say De Bruyne ».
Jorge Sampaoli himself also says that it is a qualifying play-off, given that the French have so far collected three draws out of as many matches and the transalpine coach has not failed to underline that “there are a few games missing and the points are starting to weigh more, for the moment. we have not collected enough compared to what we have shown on the pitch “, admitted the Chilean coach, who in 2016 had been approached by the Biancocelesti before turning to Bielsa and immediately after to Simone Inzaghi after the resignation of the Loco:” I had a meeting with Lotito – revealed Sampaoli – There was this opportunity that in the end did not materialize. It could have been a good opportunity ».