Lazio captain Mattia Zaccagni addressed the media on the eve of the Coppa Italia final against Inter Milan, sharing his thoughts on the team’s journey, his personal sacrifices, and the atmosphere ahead of the decisive match.
Zaccagni confirmed he has recovered from a knock and feels ready. Reflecting on Lazio’s road to the final, he credited the team’s resilience in eliminating last year’s finalists Milan and Bologna. “We’ve earned this final, and tomorrow we want to bring the trophy home,” he said.
When asked about dedicating a potential victory to former coach Maurizio Sarri, Zaccagni was emphatic. “Absolutely. We’ve been through a tough season, and the coach always said we were ‘crossing the desert without water.’ That made us smile, but it’s true. We deserve this trophy.”
On his own difficult start to 2026, marked by injuries and a key goal against Milan in the cup, Zaccagni admitted it has been a challenging period. “This is the first time I’ve dealt with surgery and a string of setbacks. My agent kept telling me, ‘Some years, just one day can solve everything.’ Tomorrow might be that day. Lifting my first trophy as captain would mean everything—to me and the team.”
Asked about the mood in the dressing room, Zaccagni highlighted the positive energy and strong desire. “We can’t predict the result, but we’ll give everything on the pitch. The fans promised to fill the stadium after we qualified, and I’ve been dreaming of that moment. It will be a beautiful night.”
When a journalist joked about whether Sarri would give up smoking for a title, Zaccagni laughed. “No chance, as the English say. Personally, I might give up a finger or something important.”
Zaccagni also praised veteran teammate Pedro for his experience in big games. “He’s won so much, and we want to win for him too, as this might be his last match with Lazio. But most of all, we’re fighting for ourselves.”
Regarding the absence of the head coach from the bench, Zaccagni said he would speak to the team but doesn’t prepare speeches. “I speak from the heart, like I do now. I’ll motivate the lads tomorrow night.”
Finally, he addressed last Saturday’s heavy defeat, dismissing suggestions it was deliberate. “It’s impossible to lose on purpose. Maybe subconsciously our minds were already on the final. What’s done is done. We’re fully focused on tomorrow.”