Igli Tare said Lazio “are now complete” with Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and ready to face Juventus in the Italian Super Cup.

The Biancocelesti are already in Shanghai to prepare for next Saturday’s trophy showdown.

“Now the team is complete,” director of sport Tare told La Gazzetta dello Sport after securing midfielder Milinkovic-Savic from Genk.

“The market doesn’t close until August 31, so something else is possible, but we have done what we needed to do and this could well be it.

Igli Tare said Lazio “are now complete” with Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and ready to face Juventus in the Italian Super Cup.

The Biancocelesti are already in Shanghai to prepare for next Saturday’s trophy showdown.

“Now the team is complete,” director of sport Tare told La Gazzetta dello Sport after securing midfielder Milinkovic-Savic from Genk.

“The market doesn’t close until August 31, so something else is possible, but we have done what we needed to do and this could well be it.

“Milinkovic was the missing figure we needed to make the squad complete and competitive. After signing Wesley Hoedt, Ravel Morrison and Patric, we lacked a wide attacker and a midfielder.

“Ricardo Kishna and Milinkovic were the elements we needed to fill those gaps. What we wanted was also to lower the average age of the squad, as we already have experienced figures.

“Lazio did not sell any of their best players. We’ve got two first choices for every position and the right mix to continue the growth we started last season under Stefano Pioli.”

The Aquile surprised everyone by snatching third place in Serie A and reaching the Coppa Italia Final, where they lost to Juventus.

On August 8 they will face Juve again in Shanghai for the Italian Super Cup, then prepare for the Champions League play-off.

It has not been a reassuring build-up, as Lazio lost four consecutive friendly matches this summer.

“I am not remotely worried,” assured Tare. “Defeats are never pleasing, but in a way we had expected them. Pioli wanted to challenge big teams straight away, ones who were at a more advanced stage of fitness training, knowing we could be embarrassed.

“This was the best way to speed up our preparation ahead of the Super Cup and Champions League preliminary round. We will be ready for those dates.”

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Tickets Kit Collector