Sarri: The victory for Lazio would have been certain with the support of the fans.

After an exciting 2-2 draw in the first leg of the Coppa Italia semi-final against Atalanta, Maurizio Sarri did not hesitate to express his frustration. In a candid analysis, the Lazio coach highlighted that if their fervent supporters had been present at the Stadio Olimpico, the result could have been quite different. “If we had our fans with us, we could have brought home the victory,” Sarri stated, emphasizing the impact that the absence of supporters had on the team’s performance.

The match was marked by an intense display from the Biancocelesti, who took the lead twice, first with a stunning goal from Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and then with Boulaye Dia, who capitalized on a mistake by defender Mario Pasalic. However, Lazio’s defense was unable to hold onto the advantage, allowing Atalanta to equalize on both occasions, with Pasalic and an incredible finish from Yunus Musah at the end of the match.

Sarri, who has faced difficult times this season, could not help but lament the lack of support from fans. “We are satisfied with the performance, but we have regrets about the results. We know that even going to Bergamo with a one-goal advantage would have been a battle,” he said, referring to the upcoming decisive clash that will determine who advances to the final of the competition, which will take place against Inter or Como.

The scene at the Olympic Stadium was almost surreal, with only around 5,000 tickets sold, while most Lazio fans protested outside the stadium, singing and setting off fireworks. “The Serie A table reflects a difficult year, where we have suffered from the absence of many players. We couldn’t expect much more under these circumstances,” commented Sarri, aware of the challenges his team has faced.

The ongoing protest against president Claudio Lotito is not helping the situation, and Sarri expressed his concern. “Unfortunately, the team is getting used to this situation inside the stadium. It’s horrible to say this, but it’s truly a sad situation. Once again, we feel that with 45,000 people in the stands, we could have perhaps taken the victory home,” he lamented.

Sarri’s strategy included using Daniel Maldini as a false nine, who dropped back to create space and provided an impressive assist for Dele-Bashiru’s goal. “Dele-Bashiru can run at 35 km/h when he gains speed, causing problems for anyone making that run through the middle. Kenneth Taylor has different characteristics; he is better with the ball but has less speed,” the coach explained.

Finally, Sarri emphasized the need for consistency and reinforcements. “To be more consistent, we would need a set of attackers who could guarantee more goals. Unfortunately, we have faced difficulties in this aspect this season, which means that just one mistake can see the advantage slip away,” he concluded. Lazio is now preparing for the challenge in Bergamo, where survival in the competition will depend on an impeccable performance.