Stefano Pioli expects Lazio to be “reinforced” during the January transfer window, but has a reduced squad against Inter.
It kicks off at San Siro at 19.45 GMT, click here for a match preview.
The Coach hopes to have secured his job at least for the Christmas break after a midweek Coppa Italia victory over Udinese.
Stefano Pioli expects Lazio to be “reinforced” during the January transfer window, but has a reduced squad against Inter.
It kicks off at San Siro at 19.45 GMT, click here for a match preview.
The Coach hopes to have secured his job at least for the Christmas break after a midweek Coppa Italia victory over Udinese.
“We put our quality on to the field and mustn’t hide from the fact Udinese weren’t at their best, but we had the right ardour and intensity. We do still need to be more clinical, but the intensity puts us in a condition to make our quality count,” he said in a Press conference.
“I hope every game coming up will be a turning point for us, as one is not enough. We are happy to have qualified for the Coppa Italia quarter-finals for the spirit we put into the performance and the quality. Obviously we are struggling in Serie A and must do more.
“This will be a complicated, difficult match against an Inter side that looks unbeatable at the moment. We must put in our best performance of the campaign and I think we can do it. The team knows it’s the last push of the year and we need everyone on point.”
It won’t be easy, as Lazio are without Miroslav Klose, Ricardo Kishna, Stefan de Vrij, Senad Lulic, Federico Marchetti, Santiago Gentiletti and Dusan Basta.
“Felipe Anderson knows he is not delivering at the moment, but I am certain he’ll get back to his best and I hope the return to San Siro where he did so well before will help him.
“Right now Alessandro Matri is the striker in best form, both physical and psychological, so he gives the most guarantees.”
“I think Lazio will have to be tactically smart in this game, as Inter punish every tiny error. My job is to motivate the players and they know that they have to leave everything on the pitch tomorrow evening. A result against the top team in Serie A could give us an important boost for the future.”
Pioli has made no secret of his desire for reinforcements over the January transfer window, but does he fear some stars could also leave?
“These are questions you need to ask the club and not me. Clearly we want to emerge reinforced from the January transfer session.”
Lazio squad for Inter: Berisha, Guerrieri, Matosevic; Braafheid, Hoedt, Konko, Mauricio, Patric, Prce, Radu; Biglia, Candreva, Cataldi, Felipe Anderson, Mauri, Milinkovic, Oikonomidis, Onazi, Parolo; Djordjevic, Keita, Matri