Tudor explains Lazio choices in Roma defeat | OneFootball

Igor Tudor admits Lazio ‘lacked’ attacking power and explains his surprising choices in the Derby della Capitale defeat to Roma. ‘It is evident we are struggling upfront.’

A Gianluca Mancini header on Paulo Dybala’s corner just before the break proved the only difference between the teams, with the tension going sky high late on after a series of scuffles.

“We lacked the trident upfront, the midfielders lacked sharpness and were not dangerous enough in their attacks,” Tudor told DAZN.

This was only Tudor’s third game on the Biancocelesti bench since replacing Maurizio Sarri, having beaten Juventus in Serie A and then lost midweek in the Coppa Italia to the same team.

“It was a bit too much for us to prepare, considering Roma had seven days, and we are still getting to grips with the dynamics of the team. We tip our hats to them and get back to work.”

His third fixture was the Derby della Capitale, so he was certainly thrown in at the deep end, but made brave decisions such as benching Luis Alberto and then taking Alessio Romagnoli off at half-time.

“If you only have two training sessions, you don’t get to know the squad properly yet. We need to improve everything, and to interpret this style of football, you must also improve physically. That will take a couple of months to sustain this level of intensity.

“I am optimistic, as I see some good things with a different style of football. It will take some time, but we look forward with positivity.”

Tudor did not hold back on criticism of his forwards, but explained why he took off both Ciro Immobile and Gustav Isaksen.

“Immobile and Romagnoli had some physical problems, Isaksen was my decision. We evidently lacked something upfront, with the wing-backs pushing forward.

“It is evident that we are struggling upfront, but it was difficult because Roma are hard to press and if you don’t prepare well, you start it high enough.

“We suffered a great deal physically, because Roma had a lot more energy than we did.”

Lazio are now really out of the race for a Champions League spot, and need a huge comeback to overturn the 2-0 first leg deficit against Juventus in the Coppa Italia semi-final, so what are their objectives?

“Always the same, to grow and improve. To see more incisiveness, determination, maintain balance and unity. I cannot wait for Monday so we can start working and preparing the next match.”