Maurizio Sarri has issued a stark warning to his Lazio squad ahead of Wednesday's Coppa Italia final against Inter: if their mentality doesn't change, tactics won't matter.

Fresh off a disappointing 3-0 Serie A defeat to the newly-crowned champions this past weekend, Sarri didn't hold back in his pre-match press conference. "If the mental attitude is the same as it was on Saturday, then tactics count for nothing," the Lazio boss declared, making it clear that the real battle will be fought between the ears.

It's a classic David vs. Goliath matchup at the Stadio Olimpico. Lazio, sitting ninth in Serie A, have already punched above their weight to reach the final, overcoming Milan, Bologna, and Atalanta—the latter two on dramatic penalty shootouts. Inter, meanwhile, have cruised past Venezia, Torino, and Como on their path to glory.

But the recent league meeting has shifted the odds even further in Inter's favor. Sarri didn't mince words about his team's performance, calling it a "sh**" display. The result has left him with "eight or nine doubts" about his starting lineup, a rare admission of uncertainty from the typically decisive coach.

Adding to the headache is the fitness of midfielder Danilo Cataldi, who only returned to training on the eve of the final. "He did his first training session with us this morning," Sarri explained. "Medical conditions are one thing, but physical availability is another. He hasn't trained for the last month—he can't do a long shift."

With limited time to regroup, Sarri is banking on a mental reset rather than tactical adjustments. "There's no particular work or training you can do in just a few days," he admitted. "We have to hope that what we saw on Saturday is just a mental thing. We hope to see a team with a different mental approach and therefore a completely different performance."

For Lazio, Wednesday isn't just about silverware—it's about proving they belong on this stage. And for Sarri, it starts with a change in mindset before a single tactical instruction is given.