Maurizio Sarri, the head coach of Lazio, has stressed the critical importance of his players’ mental approach for the upcoming Coppa Italia final against Serie A champions Inter Milan. Following a disappointing 3-0 league defeat to Inter on Saturday, Sarri stated, “If the mental attitude remains the same as it was on Saturday, then tactics will be of no consequence.”
Lazio vs. Inter: Sarri’s Coppa Italia Final Preview
Lazio, currently ninth in Serie A, faces a formidable challenge in the Coppa Italia final against the recently crowned league champions, Inter Milan. Lazio’s path to the final included victories over Milan, Bologna, and Atalanta, with the latter two matches decided by penalties. Inter, on the other hand, advanced by defeating Venezia, Torino, and Como.
Inter’s status as clear favorites was further cemented by their convincing 3-0 league win against Lazio over the weekend. Sarri did not shy away from criticizing his team’s performance in the recent league encounter, describing it as “sh**” and admitting to significant doubts about his starting lineup due to the lackluster display.
The availability of Danilo Cataldi is also uncertain, as he has only recently returned to training on the eve of the final. “Cataldi participated in his first training session with us this morning; he’s showing some improvement regarding his injury,” Sarri informed the media. “Medical conditions are one aspect, but physical readiness is another. He hasn’t trained for the past month and won’t be able to sustain a full shift.”
“I have eight or nine doubts after Saturday’s game. We performed so poorly that individual performances are secondary. We conceded the game, a sh** performance with a predictable outcome. There’s no specific work or training you can do in just a few days. We have to hope that what we witnessed on Saturday was merely a mental lapse. We’re hoping to see a team with a different mental approach, and consequently, a completely different team.”
Despite his frustration with the recent performance, Sarri expressed pride in his team’s resilience throughout the season, particularly in cup competitions and despite periods of fan protest. “I am proud of the team’s attitude above all else. They made a few errors but haven’t given up this season. The greatest motivation for tomorrow’s game is the team itself; they deserve to win this final after a remarkable journey. The team has endured significant hardships, and that is a source of satisfaction. We appear different compared to the start of the season, and I believe we are a better team. We might be lacking as coaches and players, but not as individuals.”
Sarri has prior experience with cup final defeats, having lost in Italy with Juventus in 2019 and in the EFL Cup final with Chelsea in 2019, a match remembered for an incident involving goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga. He considers the Chelsea cup final loss to be the most significant regret of his career. “I have already lost two national cup competitions on penalties, in England, even after seven penalties, and that’s the one I regret the most. In the 120 minutes, we deserved more against a team like Manchester City.”
Sarri stated that winning the Coppa Italia is not a personal obsession, but he is eager for his team and the club’s supporters to achieve the victory. “This is a trophy that belongs to the players and the supporters. It’s true that we’ve played in an empty stadium this season, but even for them, it couldn’t have been easy not to attend the stadium. Personally, after a long career, I believe this trophy won’t change my life, but it would be wonderful for the players and the fans.”
He also acknowledged the difficulty in finding the right words to motivate his players on the eve of a cup final. “After lunch today, I was preparing for tonight’s meeting and was struggling to find the right words. It’s a very clear game to prepare for; any words are just rhetoric. That’s difficult for me and for the team. We need humility, courage, and to forget about Saturday’s game. Any words I say in a meeting tonight are almost unnecessary; I consider it a pointless meeting. The players already know what’s required. They have to believe in it, believe in it to the point of madness.”
Lazio hopes that Pedro can continue his strong record of scoring in cup finals, though he will likely feature from the substitutes’ bench on this occasion. “Pedro was bruised until this morning. He participated in part of today’s training and will be available. He’s usually a specialist in these types of games; he’s scored in 80% of the finals he’s played in and gives everything. We hope he does it again tomorrow, but he has sustained a bruise and is only ready for a portion of the game.”
Regarding Inter’s head coach, Cristian Chivu, who is aiming for a domestic double in his first full season, Sarri commented, “He has shown good personality in his approach. Obviously, they have a very strong team, but I think they’ve made the most of it in the right way. Leading a strong team when they are expected to win is important. Inter has clearly been the strongest team this year.”
Sarri reiterated that his players’ mentality is the most crucial factor heading into the final. “If the mental attitude is the same as it was on Saturday, then tactics will be of no use. If you defend passively without challenging for the ball, there are no tactics to consider. We have prepared differently; we will see if it works or not, but it all depends on the mental aspect.”
Finally, addressing the recent absence of fans, Sarri stated, “Warming up recently has definitely been a bit depressing. From this perspective, it can definitely help the team. As I’ve always answered this question, I don’t know how much it has cost us financially without the fans, but it has definitely cost us points.”