Sarri: ‘Lazio pretend next two games do not exist’ | OneFootball

Maurizio Sarri explains his Lazio decisions against Inter today, trying to ‘pretend the next two games don’t exist’ even if they are the Coppa Italia Final and Rome Derby.

It kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico at 17.00 UK time (18.00 CEST).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game and Lecce vs. Juventus on the Liveblog.

ROME, ITALY – JANUARY 14: SS Lazio head coach Maurizio Sarri during the SS Lazio training session at the Formello sport Centre on January 14, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)

These teams will meet again in the same venue on Wednesday May 13 for the Coppa Italia Final, which could either send the Aquile into the Europa League, or seal the Double for the Nerazzurri after their Scudetto success.

With the two sets of ultras twinned, Inter fans have joined their Lazio counterparts in boycotting this game in the on-going protest against President Claudio Lotito, but will all be present on Wednesday.

Sarri outlines Lazio decisions

ROME, ITALY – MARCH 15: Maurizio Sarri, Head Coach of Lazio, reacts during the Serie A match between SS Lazio and AC Milan at Stadio Olimpico on March 15, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

It isn’t just the Coppa Italia Final coming up for Lazio, but also the Derby della Capitale against bitter rivals Roma.

“I tried to pretend the next two games don’t exist, because if you don’t attack the game from the start, you’ll be on the back foot, and then put in a bad performance,” Sarri told DAZN Italia.

“We’ve got to give it our all today with the right attitude, then from tonight we can start thinking about the next.”

While Inter can afford to rotate their squad after securing the Serie A title, Lazio continue to struggle with injuries to Mattia Zaccagni, Danilo Cataldi, Ivan Provedel and Samuel Gigot.

At least Nicolò Rovella returns for his first start since fracturing his clavicle on February 21, while Pedro is chosen in attack.

“Rovella is improving, he needs minutes on the field. Zaccagni had a bruise to his foot yesterday in training and Pedro is in good shape, so it was the best decision. We have positive impressions on Zaccagni, it’s a bruise but nothing more, so he should be ready for Wednesday,” explained Sarri.