Igor Tudor explains why he stripped Luis Alberto of the Lazio vice-captaincy, hopes Daichi Kamada stays and gives injury updates for the Coppa Italia against Juventus.
The Aquile kept themselves in the running for a potential Champions League spot, now that the top five get automatic entry in the tournament.
They emerged with a 1-0 victory over Genoa from Marassi thanks to the goal from Luis Alberto, who turned in the Kamada pull-back from the by-line.
“I liked the second half, I asked the team at half-time to go out and start strong. After that, we were the only team playing, whereas before Lazio were tense and pensive,” Tudor told DAZN and Sky Sport Italia.
“It is a victory that will give us an important boost going into Tuesday’s game.”
That will be the Coppa Italia semi-final against Juventus at the Stadio Olimpico, having lost the first leg 2-0 in Turin.
Matteo Guendouzi and Ciro Immobile were out injured for this match against Genoa, so will they be back for the Coppa Italia?
“Guendouzi 100 per cent, he was only out for a calf issue. Immobile still has some pain in his knee and I hope he can be available. I must pass on the confidence that we can overturn the 2-0 result. We need an exceptional performance, but the beauty of football is that you can achieve the extraordinary.”
Lazio have been shaken by off the field controversy over the last week, as Luis Alberto announced live on television that he wanted the club to terminate his contract this summer and let him leave for free, while Felipe Anderson has already signed for Palmeiras from July 1.
While Luis Alberto started today, he was stripped of the vice-captaincy.
“I choose my team based on the players at my disposal. Luis Alberto played and scored. Giving Adam Marusic the armband was my decision and I think it is the right one.
“Everyone makes their choices, but the club has to come first and foremost. We will make the right choices for the good of the team. Lazio always had strong players and that will be the case next season too.”
There is now speculation over Kamada, whose contract has a clause allowing the player to walk away for free as well.
“I hope Kamada can stay, as he is an extraordinary lad who played really well today, he got nothing wrong and is such a hard worker with the right mentality,” added Tudor.
“Taty Castellanos can certainly do better, as he didn’t have the same standards today as against Salernitana. Lazio are a quality squad and it’s mainly an issue of mentality. We need to be more courageous and push harder.
“I realise the team played a different style of football under Maurizio Sarri, but I like to play into space and require intensity in every single training session. One can never be perfect, but we are on the right track with three wins in the last four games.”