Lazio reassuring: ‘No problem with Sarri’ for next season
Lazio director Angelo Maria Fabiani insists there is ‘no problem’ around Maurizio Sarri’s future, whether or not they win tonight’s Coppa Italia semi-final with Atalanta.
It kicks off at the New Balance Arena in Bergamo at 20.00 UK time (21.00 CEST).
You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens on the Liveblog.
The first leg ended 2-2 in Rome on March 4, and there is no away goals rule, so if it ends in a draw after 90 minutes, it goes to extra time and potentially even a penalty shoot-out.
The victor will take on Inter in the one-off Final at the Stadio Olimpico on May 13.
Lazio can salvage their season
Sarri insisted yesterday that one game could not change the evaluation of an entire campaign, so it would have to be viewed as a whole.
“I share what the coach said, it has been a season affected by some factors like injuries, like not winning some games we should’ve won, but on the other hand we also had good performances against big clubs,” agreed director Fabiani on Sport Mediaset.
“Tonight’s fixture is one you’d rather be in than not, so we hope the lads bring home the result. If they don’t, our plans must continue aimed at growth and prospects for the future.”
Lazio are fresh off a surprise 2-0 Serie A victory away to Napoli, and know that the Coppa Italia is their last chance to truly salvage a difficult season.
Simply reaching the Final would provide access to the Supercoppa Italiana Final Four next season, and winning would put them into the Europa League too.
“If we look at the game with Napoli, we have certainly improved. Going back over the whole season, we had 45 injuries, but we mustn’t act like victims, we must look to the future with positivity.”
Sarri has hinted many times that he could leave at the end of the season, with reports linking him to Fiorentina or a return to Napoli.
“I always said we started a project with Maurizio Sarri, he signed a three-year contract, he is doing a good job at Lazio that everyone can see, so as far as the club is concerned, there is no problem,” insisted Fabiani.
Lazio have a strong record in the Coppa Italia, winning seven times with the most recent in 2019, also losing three Finals.
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