Roma Coach Rudi Garcia mocked those who praised Lazio for their campaign. “People act as if we’ve already lost.”
It kicks off on Monday at 17.00 UK time (16.00 GMT), click here for a match preview.
Thanks to Napoli’s 3-1 defeat at Juventus yesterday, the Giallorossi are mathematically certain of a top three finish.
However, second would send them automatically into the Champions League group phase, while third is valid only for the play-offs.
Roma Coach Rudi Garcia mocked those who praised Lazio for their campaign. “People act as if we’ve already lost.”
It kicks off on Monday at 17.00 UK time (16.00 GMT), click here for a match preview.
Thanks to Napoli’s 3-1 defeat at Juventus yesterday, the Giallorossi are mathematically certain of a top three finish.
However, second would send them automatically into the Champions League group phase, while third is valid only for the play-offs.
“I think Lazio are the favourites and everyone says so,” shrugged Garcia in a sarcastic tone during his Press conference.
“People say they are the best team and play the best football in Italy. If the game is still on Monday, then we’ll try to beat the odds. Has it been moved to Tuesday, seeing as the Final went to extra time?”
This too was a reference to the last-minute move of this fixture from Sunday to Monday due to the rescheduled Coppa Italia Final on Wednesday, which Lazio lost 2-1 in extra time to Juve.
“People act as if they’ve already won. They say we need at least 12 men just to have a chance of winning against them.
“Tomorrow there will be two sides of a high level and probably the best referee in the world. This is good, as last time Lazio won with an irregular goal after crying and crying about decisions.
“We are two teams who like to play without calculations. We always play to win. The most important game is always the next one, so you cannot make comparisons and predictions. We are second and want to stay there.
“We are the away team this time, but the fans are well behind us, as we saw today outside the Trigoria ground.”
Garcia was asked if he will change system with Miralem Pjanic in a trequartista role.
“Everything is possible. I have my idea and I hope it is a good one. If we win, it’s possible we won’t need to win the last game against Palermo.
“The Napoli result means we are sure of third place, but we don’t want third. We want to be second. We’ll do everything to get the three points, secure the victory and put in the right performance.
“I do my best, I love this jersey and give all of myself as long as I am here. I hope tomorrow the fans and directors too will push this team into the Champions League.
“The great thing about the derby in a city with two great teams is that for a whole week everyone’s brains are fizzing with excitement. Having Roma fans in the squad is an advantage, as they can transmit how important this game is.
“Is this my most important match at Roma? I don’t think so, it’s not a Final, but I do want to consider it as the last of the season.
“The players know full well we are in this profession to take part in games like this. We can’t wait for the Derby to start.”