Simone Inzaghi admits he had ‘problems’ choosing the starting XI for Lazio against Bologna, explaining those two first half substitutions.
Ciro Immobile and Luis Alberto got the goals at the Stadio Olimpico just days after a Champions League victory over Borussia Dortmund.
“We used up a lot of energy this week and knew this would be a very, very difficult test, but I thought it was a good response, both mental and physical,” the coach told DAZN.
Simone Inzaghi admits he had ‘problems’ choosing the starting XI for Lazio against Bologna, explaining those two first half substitutions.
Ciro Immobile and Luis Alberto got the goals at the Stadio Olimpico just days after a Champions League victory over Borussia Dortmund.
“We used up a lot of energy this week and knew this would be a very, very difficult test, but I thought it was a good response, both mental and physical,” the coach told DAZN.
“It was an open match, there were chances for both teams and Bologna have been putting in good performances. I had problems with the line-up, Adam Marusic and Lucas Leiva played for 35 minutes and I thank them for that, because Manuel Lazzari and Gonzalo Escalante didn’t have the 90 minutes in their legs.
“With five substitutions, you have to make evaluations. I took Escalante off again because he had a fitness problem, otherwise I wouldn’t have done it.
“We have to make do and the lads did very well to earn an important victory. We know it’s going to be much more difficult this season, as we have the Champions League for a packed fixture list. We must try to get as many players ready as possible, because squad rotation is fundamental.”
Lazio are still relying heavily on the squad they had last season and Inzaghi notes there’s a reason for that.
“Vedat Muriqi had COVID, so his arrival was slowed down. Wesley Hoedt, Mohamed Fares and Andreas Pereira all arrived in the final days of the transfer window, so it’s going to take time to get them settled in. Hoedt has the advantage because he played for us in the past and already knows our system.
“Sergej Milinkovic-Savic had a knock against Dortmund, he tried in the warm-up this morning and could barely run. We could’ve done with Stefan Radu and Senad Lulic today, but they are injured.”
Immobile continues to find the net for Lazio, although he is criticised for not taking that form on to the Azzurri.
“Ciro let his goals and performances do the talking. I maintain he is a valuable figure for all of Italian football. He is decisive for Lazio and I’m sure he will be decisive for Italy too.”