Tudor: ‘Inter strongest team in Italy, Lazio need to be perfect’ | OneFootball

Igor Tudor opened up about what he wants to see in his Lazio project, the increasing speed of modern football and the qualities of Simone Inzaghi’s Inter.

The Biancocelesti are still in the thick of the fight for Europa League qualification and cannot afford to drop points in their final two matches against the Nerazzurri and Sassuolo, sitting a point behind intercity rivals Roma.

Tudor has shown a number of positives during his first two months at Lazio and fans are now waiting to see what happens in the summer transfer window, when players like Luis Alberto and Felipe Anderson depart. Ciro Immobile has also been rumoured to be on the way out.

Tudor on need for ‘perfect Lazio’

Speaking in a press conference via TMW, Tudor first spoke about his hopes for Lazio in their trip to face Inter.

“A perfect Lazio, we are going to the home of the strongest team in Italy who are playing beautiful and concrete football. They are the best team this year, they are doing a great job in planning and growth.

“We are going there to do our best, there are two games to be played and six points still up for grabs, we need to establish the ranking from a European perspective and see which competition to participate in.”

The Croatian coach discussed where his team can improve.

“There is never a peak, a coach always aspires to the best. There are important player choices, the characteristics of the players for a certain type of football are different from others.

“The important thing is to have strong players, the football played here in the last three years is different from how I see football, I also like having the ball, but definitely different.

“Sarri’s football was still good, and he achieved results, but in my football, there are different distances and, in this football, there are players who adapt better. There is this diversity, and this does not mean that these elements of the squad cannot do well in this football too.

“We must finish these last two games well, then we’ll get to planning for the next season, calmly and clearly, making the right choices. But first we need to finish well.”

Tudor made it clear that Luis Alberto would be part of the matchday squad following his recent disciplinary problems.

“Luis Alberto will be called up, he had a normal week and is present. There are 38 games in the season, I think we’ll take stock at the end and see where we end up.”

Tudor discussed the goalkeeping situation following the growth of Christos Mandas.

“There is a clear hierarchy here. Provedel is the starter and will be back on the pitch tomorrow. Mandas has done very well in recent weeks, but Provedel is the number one and will be back in goal tomorrow.”

He spoke about his impressions of Daichi Kamada.

“I speak only little with him, not because of the language because we speak English and his Italian is also improving. We speak little because he is doing the right things. It’s like with children, if you have four or five at home with those who do the right things, you talk to them less about the right things.

“Kamada is a machine in the positive sense, he doesn’t make any mistakes, he has a crazy brain linked to his footballing talent. He can play all the roles in midfield, he steals the ball and takes the team forward, I respect him and he’s a great discovery for me.”

Tudor commented on the increasing pace of modern football and if his side can achieve that.

“It’s not just about centimetres, it’s about legs and stamina, power and acceleration. It’s not just centimetres that make the difference, it’s a natural thing.

“Just look at the Premier League, if you go and look it seems like they’re going to a different speed, it’s not a question of height but of power and acceleration.

“Football is going in this direction, but those who are good and fast cost a lot and for this reason they all go to the Premier League, speed and kilometres travelled compared to the 90s there has been a crazy growth.

“It is not easy to find these players, no one wants a player who goes at two an hour. You have to be good at choosing these players, football is going that way direction.”

Tudor shared his frustration with the way Serie A schedule matches.

“We’ve already talked about it, it’s definitely not a normal thing. We have to wait a week to understand what will happen, it’s not about giving anyone an advantage but about the regularity of the league. It’s not good for anyone and I think we need to improve on this.”

Finally, Tudor was asked if Luca Pellegrini would be part of the squad against Inter, having been benched for the last four matches.

“He’ll play tomorrow, Rovella will play too. I gave you two names like that, I won’t give any others.”