Lazio manager Maurizio Sarri has dismissed speculation linking him with a return to Napoli, describing the rumours as "Fantacalcio" following his side's 3-3 Serie A draw with Udinese at the Stadio Olimpico. Speaking to Sky Sport after the match, Sarri addressed the chatter that he could succeed Antonio Conte at his former club, firmly shutting down the prospect as mere fantasy football.
The draw itself was a dramatic affair, with Sarri admitting his team approached the game looking mentally tired before recovering with a strong second-half performance. He acknowledged defensive errors but praised his players' reaction and character in securing a point. The Lazio coach also highlighted the growth of goalkeeper Christos Mandas, who was absent, and his replacement, Ivan Provedel, noting the squad's depth in that position despite initial disappointment over Mandas's sale.
Udinese manager Kosta Runjaic, speaking to Dazn, expressed his own satisfaction with a thrilling contest, joking that he sought out Sarri after the final whistle to ask for a cigarette. He acknowledged the significant absence of his own key player, Brenner, but praised the performances of substitutes like Isaac Success and the continued development of players like Nicola Zalewski and Destiny Udogie within his squad. Runjaic reflected on his own adaptation to Serie A in his second season, stating that while not fully content with the result, he is pleased with the overall growth of his team.
The result leaves Lazio in a mid-table position as they seek consistency under Sarri, while Udinese continues to build under Runjaic's stewardship. The post-match focus, however, was squarely on Sarri's immediate future, with the coach making his stance unequivocally clear. His commitment appears to remain with the Roman club as they navigate the current campaign, aiming to build on the resilience shown in this comeback. For Napoli, the search for Conte's successor, should he depart, will now evidently look elsewhere.
