‘I hoped Guendouzi would be the future’

ROME, ITALY – JANUARY 07: SS Lazio head coach Maurizio Sarri and Dodò of ACF Fiorentina during the Serie A match between SS Lazio and ACF Fiorentina at Stadio Olimpico on January 07, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)

Maurizio Sarri had reasons to be angry after Lazio’s 2-2 draw with Fiorentina, with refereeing controversy and his own club. ‘I hoped Matteo Guendouzi would remain, I don’t even know Petar Ratkov. I promised the fans I’d put up with everything.’

The Aquile had sent a formal protest to the Lega Serie A, complete with dossier of errors that had gone against them, but had plenty more material tonight at the Stadio Olimpico.

Mario Gila was denied a penalty in the first half for a Marin Pongracic shirt tug, then VAR did intervene to help award a much softer spot-kick when Albert Gudmundsson seemed to drag his foot to make contact with Gila.

At least Lazio earned a 2-2 draw in stoppages when Pedro converted a penalty for Pietro Comuzzo’s foul on Mattia Zaccagni.

Sarri irritated with Lazio directors and referees

“The first half was excellent, we had many scoring opportunities and it was a pity to go into the break at 0-0,” Sarri told DAZN Italia.

“We had less energy as it wore on, but incidents just never seem to go our way. I think the penalty we were denied was difficult to ignore. It was a good Lazio performance, a reaction to the ugly game we had against Napoli.

“The lads are honestly a bit frustrated at this situation, and I feel pretty annoyed too. I thought I had seen it all in football at my age, but we can only have so much influence, so there’s no point wasting energy on it.

“We’ve got to focus on improving the squad, with quality and technique, seeing as had so many chances today that we didn’t take.”

There were also more problems for Sarri because Toma Basic and Mattia Zaccagni both went off injured with muscular issues.

Matteo Guendouzi started despite his imminent transfer to Fenerbahce for circa €28m plus €2m in add-ons, and it’s reported he will fly to Istanbul tomorrow morning.

“I honestly thought Guendouzi was one of the seven or eight players we could use to build the future of Lazio,” confessed Sarri.

“We are a club who cannot offer the same salaries as these other sides who come along, so I understand there are certain difficulties.”

Sarri’s frustration also spilled out when he was asked about Ratkov, the player who just arrived today from Red Bull Salzburg as a replacement for Taty Castellanos.

“I don’t know this player. Probably those in the club know him more than I do, but I honestly don’t know what to say. I haven’t watched Austrian football, I don’t have time, but I’ll try to figure out his strengths, weaknesses and how to best use him.”

Considering the frustration with Lazio’s strategy has been bubbling since he signed in the summer, the situation is getting very tense indeed.

“I said at the start of the season that I would stay here at all costs and put up with everything. Well, I’ve had to deal with more than I expected,” continued the coach.

“The only thing that hurts me is that we have such marvellous fans, I think it’s going to be really tough to give them some joy, and that weighs on me.”

So will Sarri stay at Lazio for the rest of the season?

“I gave my word to the Lazio fans. So I think I will. The transfer window isn’t closed yet, I think the club can still do many more things.”