Lazio defender Danilo Cataldi says the players wanted coach Maurizio Sarri to stay.

Sarri resigned in midweek.

After their win at Frosinone, Cataldi said: “These have been complicated days, we wanted to thank Martusciello, a person who even on a personal level has really helped me over the last two and a half years.

“When the coach resigns, clearly everyone has to take responsibility, and a series of situations meant that things weren't working. The fact that the fans blame us is fair, because perhaps we were unable to perform at the level that we could've done. We take our share of the responsibility.

“We tried to stop the coach, because after two and a half years of work, we told him that he should not be the only one to pay for mistakes. We asked him to stay with us to the end of the season, but he told us this was the only way to shake us up and help us to end the season on a high note."

On president Claudio Lotito stating Sarri had been “betrayed" by the players, Cataldi added: “Those are strong words. I don't know what to say. I try not to air dirty laundry in public. Everyone has a share of the responsibility and I think it is right that we resolve these issues internally."