Sarri: ‘Lazio could’ve taken victory with fans behind us’ in semi-final

Maurizio Sarri feels that if Lazio’s fans had been inside the Stadio Olimpico rather than protesting outside, ‘we could’ve taken the win home’ after the 2-2 Coppa Italia semi-final with Atalanta.

The Biancocelesti had twice taken the lead this evening, through a Fisayo Dele-Bashiru dinked finish and Boulaye Dia pouncing on the Mario Pasalic error.

However, both times Atalanta equalised within a few minutes, with Pasalic and the late Yunus Musah strike.

Sarri has Lazio regrets after first leg

“We are satisfied with the performance, because we played at a high level against a strong team during what has been a difficult period,” Sarri told Sport Mediaset.

“On the other hand, we have regrets over the results, although we know it would’ve been a battle in Bergamo even going there with a one-goal advantage.”

It all goes down to the second leg, which will be in Bergamo on April 21 or 22, to decide who goes through to face either Inter or Como in the Coppa Italia Final.

“We will go and fight for qualification there. If we play the way we did this evening, then we can do it.”

It was a surreal atmosphere in the practically deserted Stadio Olimpico, with only circa 5,000 tickets sold, but most of the Lazio fans still audible as they stood outside the arena, singing and letting off fireworks.

“The Serie A table is what it is due to a year where we suffered the absence of many players. We couldn’t really expect much more in these circumstances,” noted Sarri.

“Nonetheless, the team is showing signs that it can be competitive. The issue is doing that more consistently. Hopefully, from here to the end of the season we can keep almost all the players fit and healthy. It’s tough when you are constantly without six or seven players.”

The protest against President Claudio Lotito drags on and is certainly not helping the situation, as this Coppa Italia semi-final is their best chance of salvaging the season.

“Unfortunately, and I mean unfortunately, the team is getting used to this situation inside the stadium. It’s horrible to say, because this is a truly sad situation. Once again tonight we felt that if there were 45,000 in the stands, we could’ve maybe taken the win home.”

Daniel Maldini was used as a False 9, but also dropped deeper to create the space and provided the excellent assist for that Dele-Bashiru goal.

“Dele-Bashiru can run at 35km/h when he gets up a head of steam, so he can cause problems for anyone when making that run through the middle. Kenneth Taylor has different characteristics, he is better on the ball, but has less pace,” explained Sarri.

“In order to be more consistent, we’d need a set of strikers who can guarantee more goals. Unfortunately, we’ve been lacking there for various reasons this term, which means all it takes is one mistake and the lead is wiped out.

“We have also been down to the bare bones at times, especially in certain roles where injuries piled up at the same time. It is a squad that needs to be rebalanced, in my view.”