Lazio manager Maurizo Sarri faced the media this afternoon ahead of tomorrow’s Derby showdown between his side and Roma.
The Biancocelesti and Giallorossi meet tomorrow evening for their second Derby della Capitale of the season—with Sarri’s men winning the first fixture in September by a scoreline of 3-2.
“The Derby is the Derby, it’s a game that stands on its own,” explained the former Napoli boss.
“It’s a unique event and should be treated a such, you don’t need to look at the table or any other factors. Both sides will give their everything for this game. I know how much it means to the supporters.”
Though, Sarri insisted this game is a rivalry between two clubs and not between himself and Roma manager José Mourinho.
“There’s no rivalry between Mourinho and I. Tomorrow’s it’s a match between Lazio and Roma, certainly we shouldn’t put ourselves above these two teams.”
“He and I have spoken a few times and he struck me as a good guy. But I must say that his joke from Thursday about me smoking came a bit too late. I haven’t smoked for several days…but perhaps I’ll start again,” he joked.
Finally, “It’s tough to know how Roma will play: whether they’ll be open or sit back and try to counter. Obviously both teams will have to make their calculations like we did during the first meeting.”
