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Exclusive interview with Lazio journalist Steven Moore: “Victory over Napoli has given Lazio abundance of confidence in race for top-four”

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After a rough start at the helm of the Biancocelesti last season where the capital club finished outside of the top four, Maurizio Sarri has completely rejuvenated Lazio as the club has transformed into significant contenders for a spot within the top four.

As it stands, Lazio currently sit in second place with a total of 52 points, two points ahead of last year’s runners-up Inter. After struggling defensively throughout last year’s campaign, Sarri has achieved stability through the additions of Alessandro Romagnoli and Nicolo Casale as the Biancocelesti has only coneceded a total of 19 goals in 25 games-played.

Sarri has managed to achieve four wins and only one loss within Lazio’s last five Serie A outings, which included an impressive 1-0 victory over the league leaders Napoli away from home, as well as a splendid 1-0 win over cross-city rivals Roma, allowing them to pull the double within the Derby della Capitale for the first time since the 2011-2012 campaign.

With Lazio on a spectacular run of form within the top-flight Italian league, the Footitalia team had Lazio journalist and founder of Lazio English-speaking news-outlet The Laziali Steven Moore provide his insight on the Biancoclesti in an exclusive interview.

In recent time, Lazio managed to stun Napoli at the Diego Maradonna in Naples with a 1-0 victory followed by a stunning goal from Matias Vecino. What were your thoughts on that particular match as they became the only team to have beaten the Partenopei within their home-stomping ground this season and how important was that win given the race for a top-four spot?
“Lazio had not won against Napoli away from home since 2015, which was a 4-2 scoreline, it was also their first home loss in 327 days. This match went the exact opposite way that many thought it would; Maurizio Sarri and Lazio completely surprised the world, making the Partenopei look average. What was even more impressive was his strategy to eliminate the strengths of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Victor Osimhen who have been the best two attacking players this season. 
“That Vecino goal – wow – just wow. What a spectacular strike. He was due for a goal; before this fixture, and even at the beginning with that header and spectacular goal line clearance by Giovanni Di Lorenzo, he had so many opportunities to find his first goal for Lazio but was been unable to find the back off the net. So when this goal happened, I think it was just as much of a relief for him as for the fans!
“Concerning the top-four spot, Sarri has consistently said it would be a miracle for Lazio to achieve it throughout the season. However, that victory should have given them an abundance of confidence for the remainder of the year without a doubt. Their problem hasn’t been defeating the ‘big’ teams in the league, but rather,  it’s been trying to give that focus and mentality against the clubs in the bottom half of Serie A, which has been extremely frustrating. Since the start of the year, I believed that this objective would be attainable, and I continue to believe that it can, should, or will happen.”
As it stands, stellar midfield pair Luis Alberto and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic are both up for renewal soon. How likely is it that they will both extend with the Biancocelesti and have Lazio found any potential replacements to fill the void within the midfield?
“As it stands, no potential targets have been identified. Every year it has been the same on Luis Alberto and Milinkovic’s transfer drama- “THEY ARE LEAVING” – but it never happens. Will this summer something finally happen? Possibly, but I doubt Lotito will allow 2/3 best players to depart in the same transfer window.
We have seen Lotito and the club refuse transfer offers before and let their contracts run out, such as De Vrij, Strakosha and Luiz Felipe to name a few recent ones. I would not be surprised if that is the case for at least one of these two players.”
It seems quite evident that Lazio are experiencing a lack of depth within the back-line throughout this year’s campaign, are there any defenders who have been major targets for them ahead of next season?
“The backline was just recently reinforced  with Romagnoli, Casale, Gila, and Pellegrini nothing further will be done unless someone leaves (ie: Lazzari).”

Julian Faustini

21 years old, football writer for Footitalia. Calcio is my life and passion.

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