Lazio coach Maurizio Sarri was appalled by the condition of the pitch after their 0-0 draw with Cluj in the Conference League: ‘UEFA have little respect for football if they allow these surfaces.’ The goalless draw was enough to put the Biancocelesti through to the last 16 in the competition, following their slender 1-0 win in the first leg in Rome. Speaking with Sky Sport Italia after the game, Sarri couldn’t hide his consternation at the dreadful conditions and singled out UEFA as the culprit for allowing the game to take place:
“The game only had one moment: it was unplayable. We were good at playing a sport that was similar to football…. but wasn’t football. The pitch was unplayable. With UEFA I always hear about respect, but they have very little respect for football and for the players to play on these grounds. Credit to the boys for playing a sport that has only a few characteristics of football, we did well. Sorry we didn’t win it”
“Can we compete on two fronts with this squad? It’s yet to be seen, tonight some of the youngsters did well, Gila had a good game. But it remains to be seen. We have to be lucky in terms of absences, tonight we had too many absences. Those who played gave what they had to give”.
“Vecino as regista? Knowing how they play and seeing the pitch last night was a consequence. We needed physicality. The dribbling could hardly come out on this pitch.”
“Injuries? I don’t know who can return for the Sampdoria game, I have to speak to the doctors. I hope those coming off the back of flu will be recovered”.
“Luis Alberto? He has taken the biggest step towards me, because he has started to train as I say. And if he does, he often plays when he wants to.”
