Lazio captain Stefano Mauri has revealed that the Aquilotti plan on doing everything possible in order to earn a Champions League spot and has admitted that he hopes to sign a renewal in the spring.
The Biancocelesti currently sit in fourth place in the Serie A standings ahead of their away meeting with Inter on Sunday and the 34-year-old insists that this is the best squad he’s played with during his eight years at the capital city club, though he’s still unsure if Stefano Pioli’s men have what it takes to finish the campaign in the top three.
Mauri spoke to La Gazzetta dello Sport about Lazio’s determination to make it back into Europe this season and touched on his plans for the future, while also commenting on his alleged involvement in a match fixing scandal in the past and what he has learned from it.
“The story of the match fixing has changed me,” said the midfielder, who served a a six-month ban during the 2013-14 season for apparently failing to report match fixing.
“The suspension had a huge effect on me and it will remain inside forever. I continue to say that I’m innocent, I’m convinced that I can also prove this through a process.
“Now for me football is only a game, I appreciate my work a lot more without any influence from anyone else.
“I’ve been here at Lazio since 2006 and I have no doubt that this is best team I’ve played with. I don’t know if it will be enough to earn third place, but we will do everything possible to make it to the Champions League.
“My contract? We have not spoken about a renewal yet, but there is no hurry. In the spring we’ll decide together with the club.
“I have no intentions to quit. However, I’ve started thinking of what will come in the future and I would like to coach, I think I’ll take that road.”
