“Like a Son” – Sarri Reveals Latest on Insigne, Slams Lazio Defender for ‘Amateur’ Mistake

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The Laziali

·5 dicembre 2025

“Like a Son” – Sarri Reveals Latest on Insigne, Slams Lazio Defender for ‘Amateur’ Mistake

Lazio head coach Maurizio Sarri was in a good mood as he tackled several topics following his team’s Coppa Italia win over AC Milan.

Maurizio Sarri Delighted for Lazio Players

The Biancocelesti booked their place in the quarter-finals after exacting revenge on AC Milan thanks to Mattia Zaccagni’s late header. Sarri spoke to the media after the match (via Il Messaggero) and began by congratulating his players, who felt aggrieved by the controversial final at San Siro last weekend.

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Our fans were ferocious, but I was also happy for the lads, who on Sunday felt humiliated and mortified. Getting through a knockout round against Milan is always important; they are specialists. We’re on the right track; in the last nine games, we’ve only lost at San Siro, and that’s understandable. We’re lacking a bit of consistency, but this season we need to build a good foundation. We hope to continue working with the same enthusiasm we showed today.

Sarri Talks Tijjani Noslin & Nuno Tavares

Sarri, who acknowledged the important role the substitutes played on Thursday, addressed the situations of Tijjani Noslin and Nuno Tavares, who both had a positive impact off the bench.

We haven’t talked about transfers. I think it’s difficult to define Noslin tactically, but they gave us a little more space tonight, and he can easily play as a striker. He’d struggle more against teams that sit deep. In recent games, he’s been coming in more often. Tavares is not an easy player (to deal with). I tried the kind way at the beginning and I felt I was losing him, now I’m trying with cruelty, by playing him less. I hope he gets angry.

Sergej Milinkovic-Savic & Luis Alberto

Lazio legend Sergej Milinkovic-Savic was cheering on his former teammates in the stands, while Luis Alberto had attended Saturday’s clash at San Siro. Nevertheless, Sarri admitted that bringing them back is almost impossible due to the hefty wages they earn in the Middle East.

I think they’re getting used to high salaries. It’s nice that two guys so important to Lazio are still so attached to these colors. I’m enormously pleased. I saw a photo of Milinkovic celebrating Zaccagni’s goal. He still feels part of the group. Now they’re on financial terms that are difficult to afford. We could use both of them; Sergej always scored double figures in goals and assists, and Luis Alberto gave us creativity. Choosing one of the two would be tough…

Will Lorenzo Insigne Join Lazio?

On the other hand, a reunion with his former Napoli pupil, Lorenzo Insigne, might be more plausible, but Sarri admitted that the club has different priorities on the market.

I have no idea (if Insigne will sign for Lazio). We talked about other roles first. Then, once those profiles arrive, it will depend on the club. I consider the lad almost like a son. I spent three wonderful years with him; he’s strong and very nice. The roles identified as essential, however, were different.

Mario Gila’s Almost Costly Blunder

Finally, the manager blasted Mario Gila for once again committing the amateurish mistake of driving forward with the ball from the back, as he almost gifted a goal to Milan after getting dispossessed in a dangerous area.

We’re training him not to do it. He shouldn’t do those things, it’s amateur stuff. He gave them a counterattack. Those are things he absolutely shouldn’t do.