Lazio succumbed to their sixth defeat of the Serie A season at Sassuolo’s Mapei Stadium after effectively throwing away an early lead – with Domenico Berardi and Giacomo Raspadori scoring twice in the space of six minutes in the second half to grab an emphatic victory.
The loss prompted Maurizio Sarri to irately cancel Lazio’s training session post-match at Formello, as reported by Italian outlet Il Messaggero (via LazioNews24).
The 62-year-old Italian tactician was reportedly the focal point of a ‘heated confrontation’ with his team after informing president and owner Claudio Lotito that he wanted to speak alone with the group.
According to the reports, Francesco Acerbi was particularly pointed out by the former Napoli coach for his shortcomings in the defensive half, as Lazio suffered from lack of communication and ended up stretching the lines to allow the Neroverdi to score twice in quick succession.
Lazio have now conceded 32 goals after 17 matchdays – only for the first time in 80 years and the worst of the top ten teams in the league so far.
The Biancocelesti face Genoa and Venezia before the end of the year, as they seek positive results to go into the holiday break with breathing space.
They currently sit in 9th position with 25 points, sandwiched between Empoli and Bologna who possess one point more and less on either side.