Ahead of the clash against Lazio, Luciano Spalletti spoke to the media to preview the Bianconeri's next fixture, discussing the opposition's strengths, the team's condition following their European trip and his possible team selection.
Here is what he had to say.
THE CHALLENGE AGAINST LAZIO
“Lazio are doing very well. They have a clear mentality and a well-defined structure, as well as some excellent individual players. I'm thinking of Frattesi's explosiveness, a player I know personally and whose all-round qualities I really appreciate: he runs, scores goals and has a huge heart. Then there are Isaksen's unpredictable moments of brilliance and Zaccagni's quality up front. They're an extremely dangerous team to face, and we'll have to be smart and decisive in the choices we make.”
RECOVERY AFTER THE EUROPEAN TRIP
“Our recovery after Vigo began at 4:30 in the morning, when we got back. The following day, we assessed the players' condition because everyone reacts differently to these trips. From a physical point of view, we haven't done any particularly demanding training sessions, but we've worked on our attitude and the principles the team needs to keep firmly in mind. A match doesn't begin when the referee blows the whistle, but when you start visualising it. During this period, we have to think about several matches in quick succession and manage our energy levels as effectively as possible. We have staff who analyse all the data and help us make our assessments: sometimes it's not the player in the best form technically who plays, but the one who has recovered better and is fresher.”
MANAGING THE TEAM FROM THE STANDS
“I'll probably speak to my coaching staff on the phone at half-time, because until then I'll put my complete trust in them. I have the best assistant coach in the world, and I would never change him. I trust Domenichini completely, and I'm relaxed because I know the right decisions will be made.”
ATTACKING OPTIONS
“Whether to start Woltemade and Kolo Muani is one of the decisions we'll assess over the next few hours, also taking into account how the match might develop. There are no starters and substitutes. That's a limited way of looking at things: we need to expand the group of players we consider starters. Against Celta, we were more ruthless in the second half and showed real determination to create the moment that could change the game. Woltemade was caught off guard by an opportunity in Cagliari, whereas in Vigo he managed to score. You have to be ready when destiny comes knocking, because it rewards those who are most determined. I'll have to think carefully about my starting choices, because playing certain players together also means having fewer options to make an impact later in the game. Kolo Muani, Woltemade and Nico can give us that impact, as can Gatti.”
BOGA AND ZHEGROVA'S FITNESS
“Boga has about half an hour in his legs. Zhegrova has shown his qualities and his unpredictable play, which can surprise both himself and his opponents. Of course, we need to find the right balance within the team, especially when we field several attacking players. That's something we have to consider, also taking into account the opposition's characteristics. Zhegrova could start, and based on what he's shown us, he would have deserved more playing time.”
SARR'S QUALITIES
“Sarr is a player who can do a bit of everything. He hasn't shown it yet, but he also has a powerful shot from distance. He's a complete player, capable of dictating play, making forward runs and winning the ball back. He can operate in different positions, combining a range of qualities. With Thuram unavailable, he can offer us similar attributes to both him and McKennie.”
THE TEAM'S DEVELOPMENT
“I've been pleased with what the team has done. We played a great match in Cagliari, even though we only came away with a draw. The group has the right mentality, and when we analyse videos together, I can see the players' complete dedication. I have great faith in them: they're a strong, healthy group, and I'm convinced the results will come because we're on the right track.”