Ruben Amorim insisted Luka Modric's limitations are outweighed by what he adds to AC Milan's team.
The veteran Croatia midfielder celebrated his 41st birthday this week but that has not stopped him starting two of Milan's first three Serie A matches this season.
Head coach Amorim told a news conference: "Sometimes he can't press in every situation, but he knows how to control the tempo of the game.
"Right now, he reads the game better than anyone else. With him, we lose a little in terms of pressing but, when we have the ball, we're able to control the game.
"Sometimes you give something up in one area, but you gain something in another. Luka has a big impact when he has the ball at his feet, and I want the team to be in control of possession."
Milan dropped their first points of the season last weekend when they were pegged back by Juventus late on in a 1-1 draw.
On Saturday, they will take on Gennaro Gattuso's Lazio, who have won all their opening three matches.
- The staggering numbers behind Premier League's spending power over Europe
- UCL talking points: Bayern Munich's dominant win among Matchday 1 standouts
"Lazio is an intense team," Amorim said.
"They are aggressive and have a clear identity. They will be feeling confident after the three wins they picked up since their defeat in the Coppa Italia, but we are ready to face them.
"Gattuso is a legend of this club and he represents an example of how talent isn't everything. He is a symbol and a reminder that, with passion and hard work, you can overcome difficult moments."
