Lazio director of sport Angelo Fabiani warns it is always ‘very difficult to make a prediction’ in the Derby della Capitale against Roma.
The Coppa Italia quarter-final kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico at 17.00 GMT.
The winner must be decided tonight, after 90 minutes, extra time or even penalties, and will go on to face Juventus or Frosinone in the two-legged semi-finals.
“It is a derby and in every derby it is very difficult to make a prediction,” Fabiani told Mediaset.
“Both Lazio and Roma care about the Coppa Italia, it is an important competition and everyone wants to go all the way. If we manage to celebrate with a victory today, we will be happy.”
Ivan Provedel is out with flu symptoms, so Christos Mandas gets his Lazio debut in goal, while Ciro Immobile is also out of action.
“All teams have difficulties when having to play midweek rounds. We must not worry about who is not here, but instead focus on those who will honour the game on the field.”
Lazio seem to have found their form with three consecutive Serie A victories and have also qualified for the Champions League Round of 16.
“There are moments in a season when things do not go your way and the stress can get to you, but there is more sense of consistency now. What really interests us is Serie A, whereas the Champions League ought to be about having fun.”
Fabiani was also asked about the contract extension discussions that are going on with several different players and left his response purposefully vague.
“There are two parties that meet, evaluate, decide whether to extend or not. We already did that with some players, we are talking to others, but it is not a problem. There is no rush, nobody feeling uncomfortable or asking to leave immediately.
“The problem now is that the Saudi Pro League offers are like financial doping for the whole football system. A player’s career is short and it is difficult to say no when faced with certain proposals.
“We received a few bids, but our players said no because they were happy at Lazio.”
Ciro Immobile, who is out injured this evening, is another player who has been approached by the Saudi Pro League clubs and so far has resisted.
Olimpia's flight 🦅🦅🦅#LazioRoma | #CoppaItaliaFrecciarossa pic.twitter.com/wsrnAXzmwl
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