Following Lazio’s hard-fought 2-0 victory over Torino in Serie A, manager Maurizio Sarri offered a nuanced assessment of his team’s performance. While acknowledging their initial struggles, he emphasized their ability to overcome adversity and secure a vital three points.
The win, achieved through second-half goals from Matteo Guendouzi and Danilo Cataldi, marked a crucial step for Lazio in their pursuit of European qualification. They now sit seventh in the standings, five points behind Atalanta in the coveted fourth place.
“We weren’t at our best in the first half,” Sarri admitted in his post-match press conference, as reported by TMW. “Torino’s pressure caused us problems, and we contributed to that with some careless turnovers. However, they eased off slightly, and we capitalized on our first clear chance.”
Despite the positive outcome, Sarri acknowledged the team’s inconsistency. “We controlled the game until the red card, but lost several challenges,” he said. “Fortunately, we went into half-time at 0-0, which was crucial.”
Responding to criticism labeling the first half “disastrous,” Sarri defended his team’s recent form. “Focusing solely on negatives reflects a negative mindset,” he countered. “We’ve had four good matches before this. Today was our worst first half, but Toro is a notoriously difficult opponent. We’ve emerged from a brief dip in form and rectified it.”
Looking ahead to their upcoming encounter with Fiorentina, another team vying for European spots, Sarri emphasized the importance of taking things one game at a time. “Let’s focus on today’s victory,” he said. “I haven’t checked the standings yet. Right now, only this game matters; the rest is irrelevant.”
Sarri’s comments highlight the complex emotions surrounding Lazio’s performance. While acknowledging their shortcomings, he also praises their resilience and ability to secure important wins. His focus on the present and refusal to dwell on past results suggest a determined approach to their remaining fixtures in the race for Europe.