{"id":82325,"date":"2026-04-23T00:57:09","date_gmt":"2026-04-23T00:57:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/diyhaven858.wasmer.app\/index.php\/sarri-on-amazing-lazio-goalkeeper-and-fan-hope-for-coppa-italia-final-on-may-13\/"},"modified":"2026-04-23T00:57:09","modified_gmt":"2026-04-23T00:57:09","slug":"sarri-on-amazing-lazio-goalkeeper-and-fan-hope-for-coppa-italia-final-on-may-13","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/diyhaven858.wasmer.app\/index.php\/sarri-on-amazing-lazio-goalkeeper-and-fan-hope-for-coppa-italia-final-on-may-13\/","title":{"rendered":"Sarri on ‘amazing’ Lazio goalkeeper and fan hope for Coppa Italia Final on May 13"},"content":{"rendered":"


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\"BERGAMO,<\/picture><\/div>\n

BERGAMO, ITALY – APRIL 22: Maurizio Sarri, Head Coach of Lazio, reacts during the Coppa Italia semifinal match between Atalanta BC and SS Lazio at New Balance Arena on April 22, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n


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Maurizio Sarri hails \u2018amazing\u2019 goalkeeper Edoardo Motta after a penalty shoot-out win over Atalanta, and hopes Lazio fans suspend their boycott for the Coppa Italia Final with Inter on May 13.<\/p>\n

It was a dramatic semi-final overall, as at no point were Atalanta leading, with Lazio twice throwing away a lead in the first leg, and doing the same in Bergamo.<\/p>\n

Within two minutes of Alessio Romagnoli\u2019s volley, Mario Pasalic\u2019s deflected effort had drawn them level again, 1-1 on the night, 3-3 on aggregate.<\/p>\n

Unable to be separated during extra time either, it went to a shoot-out, and Edoardo Motta was the hero by saving four penalties in a row.<\/p>\n

Even before that, his fingertip save to push a Gianluca Scamacca header onto the upright forced extra time.<\/p>\n

Sarri feels Lazio deserve Final<\/h2>\n
\"BERGAMO,
BERGAMO, ITALY \u2013 APRIL 22: Alessio Romagnoli of Lazio celebrates scoring his team\u2019s first goal with teammates during the Coppa Italia semifinal match between Atalanta BC and SS Lazio at New Balance Arena on April 22, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cTonight\u2019s game was extremely complicated, a knockout tie against a strong side in a stadium that is tough to play in for most European teams,\u201d Sarri told Sport Mediaset.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis has been a great journey for us, we eliminated both last season\u2019s Finalists Milan and Bologna, then tonight a wonderful opponent like Atalanta. It has been a tough, complicated campaign, and we achieved this satisfaction of reaching the Final.\u201d<\/p>\n

This was a fixture that could salvage their season, because not only are Lazio now in the Coppa Italia Final against Inter on May 13 on home turf, but it also guarantees qualification for the Supercoppa Italiana Final Four.<\/p>\n

Winning the trophy would also give them direct access to the Europa League for next season.<\/p>\n

\"BERGAMO,<\/source><\/picture>
BERGAMO, ITALY \u2013 APRIL 22: Tijjani Noslin and Manuel Lazzari of Lazio celebrate with teammates during the penalty shoot out in the Coppa Italia semifinal match between Atalanta BC and SS Lazio at New Balance Arena on April 22, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve had a problem all season, which is that we struggle to score goals. The team has become solid and tough to play against, but we don\u2019t find it easy to get the ball in the back of the net,\u201d added Sarri.<\/p>\n

The coach had said in January he did not agree with Lazio\u2019s decision to sell Christos Mandas, but when Ivan Provedel suffered a season-ending injury, 21-year-old mid-season signing Motta really stepped up.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe is amazing on penalties, he saved four out of five in the shoot-out, plus one in Serie A against Bologna, so that\u2019s five out of six in the Lazio shirt,\u201d smiled Sarri.<\/p>\n

\u201cMotta has margin for improvement, especially playing the ball with his feet, but he has important prospects. He must have in his mind the desire to keep improving.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"BERGAMO,
BERGAMO, ITALY \u2013 APRIL 22: Edoardo Motta of Lazio celebrates after the team\u2019s victory in the penalty shoot out in the Coppa Italia semifinal match between Atalanta BC and SS Lazio at New Balance Arena on April 22, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Coppa Italia Final is meant to be on neutral turf, but it just so happens to be at the Stadio Olimpico, which is also Lazio\u2019s home venue.<\/p>\n

However, there is no guarantee the fans will attend, as they have been boycotting home games for several months in protest at President Claudio Lotito\u2019s strategy. Would the coach appeal for them to suspend it for this Final?<\/p>\n

\u201cI always said that I respect people\u2019s decisions, so if our fans made this choice, I respect that. Having said that, if they were to attend, I and the team would be overjoyed. Yesterday, they came to the airport to encourage us, so if they came, I\u2019d be the happiest coach in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sarri seemed to be looking for someone in the stands after the penalty shoot-out, so who was it?<\/p>\n

\u201cA friend of mine was in the stands, someone who historically brings good luck. He\u2019s been telling me since yesterday that we\u2019d go through, so I was looking for him.\u201d<\/p>\n

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