Sarri ‘philosophy’ in battle with Lazio squad options

Lazio director Angelo Fabiani admits Maurizio Sarri’s ‘football philosophy’ doesn’t entirely fit with the squad built for him this season, but injuries were also damaging as they visit Napoli.

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It kicks off at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona at 17.00 UK time (18.00 CEST).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s three Serie A games on the Liveblog.

The Biancocelesti want to climb into the top 10, but also have to prepare for Wednesday’s Coppa Italia semi-final against Atalanta.

As the first leg ended 2-2 last month at the Stadio Olimpico, it will all be decided in Bergamo, and may well be their only path back into Europe for next season.

Lazio had a tough campaign

“This is a big game, we care about this, the club, the coach, the players, and want a good performance. Then we will think about the Coppa Italia,” Lazio director Fabiani told DAZN Italia.

“It has been a difficult season with 45 injuries, so we had to make do, because inevitably you’re going to drop points when missing players like Zaccagni and Rovella for long periods.

“It was a reconstruction campaign, going from the older figures to young players who should provide the structure for the team in future seasons.”

Adam Marusic, Ivan Provedel, Nicolò Rovella, Samuel Gigot and Alessio Furlanetto didn’t make the trip, with Daniel Maldini back for a spot on the bench.

Taty Castellanos was sold in January, but there was no real replacement, as Petar Ratkov is barely used.

“In Maurizio’s philosophy, he prepares a player who drops deeper and works with the midfield, like Daniel Maldini. So he has used Maldini more.”

There has been tension around Lazio in recent months, with the fans often leaving the Stadio Olimpico during their boycott in protest against President Claudio Lotito’s strategy.

How can that split be healed for the good of the team?

“With hard work and sacrifice, we can all work together including those around Lazio, using common sense to get back to normality.”

This is always an emotional game for Sarri, who was the Napoli coach from 2015 to 2018, famously born in the city before moving to Tuscany, so declared himself a supporter of the club.