Simone Inzaghi revealed he owes his Lazio players a dinner after their 4-2 Europa League quarter-final win over RB Salzburg. “We could’ve had more goals.”

It’s the perfect way for the Coach to celebrate his 42nd birthday today with a thrilling victory at the Stadio Olimpico and received a massive hug from goal-scorer Ciro Immobile.

Simone Inzaghi revealed he owes his Lazio players a dinner after their 4-2 Europa League quarter-final win over RB Salzburg. “We could’ve had more goals.”

It’s the perfect way for the Coach to celebrate his 42nd birthday today with a thrilling victory at the Stadio Olimpico and received a massive hug from goal-scorer Ciro Immobile.

“I didn’t realise Immobile was running towards me, as it was the goal for 4-2 and I was already thinking ahead for what would happen next,” smiled Inzaghi on Sky Sport Italia.

“I told the lads that when we find the time, which is rare at the moment, I promise we’ll have a massive dinner together and I’ll pay. I had already promised them that when they scored a goal with the fifth towards fifth (wingers Dusan Basta and Senad Lulic combining), I would treat them. Now they have to choose the venue.

“Considering the performance, we could’ve had many more goals, for example with Immobile, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic or that save on Felipe Caicedo.

“We knew that Salzburg were tough and had conceded only five goals in the whole competition, but let in four on one night. It was not easy after the 2-2 and the penalty that was awarded against us, but we turned it around with thanks also to this crowd.

“The second leg won’t be easy, certainly, but we have what it takes and need the right attitude in Austria. Salzburg impressed me with their performance against Real Sociedad in the Round of 16. A team that loses one out of 46 competitive games is not to be underestimated, obviously. It’s just a shame we conceded those two goals.

“The penalty shouldn’t have been given and the second goal was basically a lucky ricochet. I had told the lads we gifted the first leg to our opponents in the last two rounds and had to do something extraordinary to turn it around. I didn’t want us to do that again. We’ve got the advantage, but Salzburg are even stronger on their own turf and it’ll be an intense match.”

Even at 2-2 with two away goals, Lazio kept pushing and eventually won the first leg 4-2.

“When you have players ready to work this hard, I had hope… Lulic and Stefan Radu were returning with only three training sessions in their legs, as they had injuries and didn’t really play for two weeks.

“It was a wonderful evening, thanks also to our fans. Now we must try to recover energy, we have a very important game in Udine, then Salzburg and three days after that the Rome Derby.”

Leave a Reply

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

Tickets Kit Collector