Sarri: ‘Romagnoli important for Lazio, Maldini has huge potential’

VERONA, ITALY – JANUARY 11: Maurizio Sarri head coach of SS Lazio during the Serie A match between Hellas Verona FC and SS Lazio at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on January 11, 2026 in Verona, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Maurizio Sarri explains why Lazio leave Alessio Romagnoli on the bench against Juventus, and admits it is tricky to draw out Daniel Maldini’s ‘huge potential.’

It kicks off at the Allianz Juventus Stadium in Turin at 19.45 GMT (20.45 CET).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s four Serie A games on the Liveblog.

This was a tense January transfer window, as Alessio Romagnoli and Nuno Tavares seemed to be on the verge of moves, only to remain and tonight return, with the Portugal international in the starting XI for the first time since December 7.

Sarri reshuffles Lazio against Juventus

“It is a big test, Juventus are in great shape, they are very aggressive, intense, in good shape, so we must express ourselves at the highest level we’ve seen yet this season,” Sarri told DAZN Italia.

While Nuno Tavares starts, Romagnoli is only on the bench, so what prompted that decision?

“Romagnoli has always been an important player for us. He’s on the bench because we have three games in six days, so we prefer to let him train another couple of days before we throw him back in.”

The injury crisis drags on, missing Mattia Zaccagni, Manuel Lazzari and Samuel Gigot, plus suspended Luca Pellegrini.

New arrival Daniel Maldini is used as a False 9 with support from Gustav Isaksen and veteran Pedro.

“Maldini has huge potential, we’ll see if we can actually draw it out of him, because a few have tried before, it depends on when the player matures,” noted Sarri.

“Kenneth Taylor was not in great physical shape when he arrived, but he is the most experienced of those who arrived in January, so he is the most ‘ready’ for action.”