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Maurizio Sarri takes dig at Mourinho ahead of Derby della Capitale

Andy Mattioli
ROME, ITALY - NOVEMBER 07: Maurizio Sarri, Head Coach of SS Lazio, looks on prior to the UEFA Champions League match between SS Lazio and Feyenoord at Stadio Olimpico on November 07, 2023 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

Lazio boss Maurizio Sarri addressed Mourinho’s comments regarding Roma’s schedule ahead of the Derby della Capitale.

In his post-match press conference following Lazio’s win over Feyenoord, Sarri responded to Mourinho’s comment about Roma’s disadvantage heading into the Rome derby caused by the fact the Giallorossi will be playing on Thursday with Slavia Praha while Lazio will get two extra days of rest.

In his remarks, Sarri undermined the importance of Roma’s match with Slavia.

“Roma will have the possibility to allow themselves to play a sort of friendly match on Thursday,” said the Italian technician. “Whereas we fought a real battle on the pitch tonight.”

“Of course if you ask me if it is intelligent to have the derby played in a week during which both Lazio and Roma play in Europe, I say that it doesn’t seem to me to be the most intelligent on the part of the Lega Serie A. Maybe they don’t realize what the derby is, it seems to me like some of those people are foreign to football. It could have been done differently.”

“But, the truth is Roma have a match where they can afford to keep most of the team out and rested,” he added.

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MatchDay 34
27 Apr 15:00
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