Stefano Pioli acknowledges Lazio got “quite a beating” in the Champions League, but demands a response against Chievo.

It kicks off on Sunday at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT), click here for a match preview.

The Aquile had won the first leg of their Champions League play-off 1-0, but were defeated 3-0 by Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday.

Stefano Pioli acknowledges Lazio got “quite a beating” in the Champions League, but demands a response against Chievo.

It kicks off on Sunday at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT), click here for a match preview.

The Aquile had won the first leg of their Champions League play-off 1-0, but were defeated 3-0 by Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday.

“We got quite a beating,” admitted the Coach in his Press conference. “The dream was in front of us and we were unable to grasp it.

“Now either we feel sorry for ourselves or we’ll roll our sleeves up and start again. I saw the latter. Tomorrow we must put our character on to the field and I expect a reaction. In fact, I demand one.

“Chievo are tough opponents, but we want all three points. I haven’t made my choices for the line-up yet, but I saw the right reaction from my men yesterday. Admittedly, our heads were down on Thursday.”

Lazio were a surprise package to finish third in Serie A last season and reach the Coppa Italia Final, so can they repeat that success?

“It’ll be as difficult as last year. Few believed in us at the beginning, but we have the capabilities to do it again. Nobody expected so many injuries at this stage, especially as many of them are in the same position.

“The break for international duty will help us get Filip Djordjevic, Federico Marchetti and Stefano Mauri back in shape. They can be considered almost as new buys.”

Lucas Biglia and Miroslav Klose will be on the treatment table for longer.

Felipe Anderson has been particularly disappointing so far this season. Are expectations weighing too heavily on him?

“He has to complete the maturation process. His opponents know him more now and study his movements, so he has to spread out along the attacking areas,” explained Pioli.

“I know what my job entails, the pressure and the glory. We must prove ourselves every day. I ask the fans and media to be objective in their assessment of the team.

“We are not happy with the results so far, clearly. But you don’t go from phenomenon to flop from one day to the next. We aren’t ready for certain levels yet, but we can get there step by step.

“Don’t forget the year before we finished ninth in Serie A. The past year has been extraordinary.”

Lazio squad for Chievo: Berisha, Guerrieri; Basta, Braafheid, de Vrij, Gentiletti, Hoedt, Konko, Mauricio, Patric, Radu; Candreva Cataldi, Felipe Anderson, Lulic, Mauri, Milinkovic-Savic, Morrison, Oikonomidis, Onazi, Parolo; Keita, Kishna

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Tickets Kit Collector