Igor Tudor admits it was ‘not our best performance’ after Lazio twice dropped a lead to draw 2-2 at Monza, badly denting their Champions League ambitions.
The Aquile had twice been in front at the U-Power Stadium, taking the lead through Ciro Immobile’s first goal in almost three months, then again with Matias Vecino pouncing on a terrible back-pass.
However, Milan Djuric bagged a brace including a stoppage-time header to secure a deserved point for Monza.
There was evidently a problem in defending crosses this evening, because Monza also wasted two sitters with free headers wide from Valentin Carboni and Warren Bondo.
“It was not our best performance, but we take this point against a quality opponent. We could’ve done more, both when defending and attacking, but we have to turn the page and think of the next match,” Tudor told DAZN.
Tudor took a brave decision after 32 minutes when hauling Mattia Zaccagni off the field, as the winger had already been booked and kept throwing himself into several risky sliding tackles, so the coach decided to replace him with Nicolò Casale.
Tudor unsatisfied with Lazio
“Zaccagni got one and a half yellow cards, so it was only right to take him off. Monza moved the ball around well, we were too deep on their crosses. It’s difficult to analyse, but it certainly wasn’t one of our better games.
“Monza did better than us, there were too many players who were below par. Monza are a very good team and we weren’t at our best, so every point is important.”
Immobile ended his goal drought after almost three months, so this at least should boost the captain’s confidence.
“I am happy, he scored an important goal. He needs to rediscover his fitness, we hope he is at his best for the final three games.”
There was tension after the final whistle when the ultras called the squad over to lecture them about this performance, prompting angry reactions from Matteo Guendouzi and Adam Marusic.
“I had already gone, so I don’t know what happened there.”