"The best player on the pitch tonight was the Lazio goalkeeper. We will continue to work this way." This is how Venezia coach Giovanni Stroppa opened his post-match press conference. He said he was ready to view the break as an opportunity to climb back up. "My concern is that the squad might feel disappointed and therefore give up — I need to work on this, but they train well: the fact that the players try not to lose individual duels proves it. This is the first time we have had three weeks ahead of us to prepare for a match. We need to get the players who are out back fit — I counted 11 of them. Conceding little against such a strong side and creating opportunities and chances is a sign of great work on the part of the players. We need to recover mental energy."
Stroppa denied that the Nigerian striker had turned in a lacklustre performance. "I believe Adams worried and unsettled Lazio's defence." On the captain's armband given to new arrival Juan Jesus, Stroppa said that "perhaps on the goal he could have used a bit of knowhow, but on the pitch he communicates well with the refereeing team and has personality." Venezia were booed by their own fans at the end of the match. "The supporters are excellent and exemplary, I am sorry, they deserve better results, but the team did not lack commitment," Stroppa declared.
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