Simone Inzaghi ‘knew Lazio would suffer here’ between two big Champions League fixtures, so was ‘satisfied’ with the 2-1 victory away to Spezia.
The Biancocelesti struggled to achieve all three points, because Spezia hit the woodwork twice, had several more chances and generally took the initiative.
Ciro Immobile and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic proved decisive in the first half and M’Bala Nzola’s curler was not enough to turn it around.
Simone Inzaghi ‘knew Lazio would suffer here’ between two big Champions League fixtures, so was ‘satisfied’ with the 2-1 victory away to Spezia.
The Biancocelesti struggled to achieve all three points, because Spezia hit the woodwork twice, had several more chances and generally took the initiative.
Ciro Immobile and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic proved decisive in the first half and M’Bala Nzola’s curler was not enough to turn it around.
“I am satisfied, because I asked for determination, grit and passion, and we got that,” the coach told Sky Sport Italia.
“We knew that we could suffer here, as Spezia play good football and are well-organised, but despite returning home at 5.30am from Dortmund and then having to travel again to Cesena yesterday, we managed to work really hard.
“I had a lot of problems in attack, as Vedat Muriqi was at home, Joaquin Correa had a calf problem and Felipe Caicedo needed to take pain-killing injections in order to help me out today for half-an-hour. So I couldn’t do without Immobile.
“Considering Spezia have these two wide men in the trident, they cause you problems with the wing-backs, but if we had been sharper and a little better rested, we could’ve certainly created more scoring opportunities.
“When 2-0 up at half-time, a team like ours cannot allow Nzola that goal on the counter-attack from midfield, because we should’ve been in control of that.”
Inzaghi was asked if he had a lack of strength in depth this season, especially when playing in the Champions League.
“I believe we made the right signings this summer, but between injuries and COVID, we were short-staffed pretty much constantly and I haven’t been able to rotate the squad.
“In terms of pure numbers of players and options, this year the club has done a very good job. I was chatting to the Borussia Dortmund coach and he agreed it was more stressful than ever, because between journeys and recovery time, you basically have to train the players on the pitch.
“That is particularly tricky in Serie A when you then have to take on very organised and well-coached teams like Spezia and Udinese, who have all week to prepare just for you.”