Zoff: "The Squad Have Quality. With Sarri Back, I Think Lazio Can Aim For The Top Of The Table. But The Higher You Climb, The Greater The Pressure. You Have To Be Ready For It."

With Italy having wrapped up their second qualifier for the 2026 World Cup, attention now turns back to domestic football. For Lazio, the international break was also an opportunity to hear the voice of one of their greatest legends, Dino Zoff, who shared his thoughts on both the Azzurri and the current state of the Biancoceleste in an interview with Radio Laziale.

The former World Cup winning goalkeeper emphasized the importance of Italy’s recent results. “The national team matters to everyone. After a difficult period, they’ve managed two very good performances. Qualifying for the World Cup is a must, missing out again would be unacceptable. As for Donnarumma, he has the talent to follow in Buffon’s footsteps, but he still needs time and consistency,” Zoff explained.

When asked about Lazio’s current goalkeeping setup, Zoff highlighted the balance between experience and youth. “If you have two strong goalkeepers, rotation is possible. In Lazio’s case, Mandas has shown encouraging signs whenever called upon, and I believe he will continue to grow,” he commented, suggesting the club can count on depth between the posts.

Turning his focus to Lazio, Zoff expressed optimism about the team under Maurizio Sarri, despite difficulties in the transfer market. “The squad have quality. The first game wasn’t great, but it served its purpose in preparing for the second. With Sarri back, I think Lazio can aim for the top of the table. Everyone knows the transfer situation was blocked, but that’s not news to those familiar with the club’s finances,” he said.

Finally, Zoff reflected on what makes Lazio unique. “The city, the warmth of the fans, they can make you fall in love with football. But the higher you climb, the greater the pressure. You have to be ready for it,” he concluded, leaving a message that blended both admiration and caution for the Biancoceleste’s future.