Roma's Rudi Garcia praises 'lethal' young striker Adem Ljajic and counts on him against Fiorentina tomorrow.
With captain Francesco Totti ruled out of the Europa League Round of 16 first leg due to injury, Ljajic will be expected to step up for the Lupi's away game against La Viola.
Garcia, who had the 23-year-old next to him during his Press conference ahead of tomorrow's game, was very open in his praise.
Roma's Rudi Garcia praises 'lethal' young striker Adem Ljajic and counts on him against Fiorentina tomorrow.
With captain Francesco Totti ruled out of the Europa League Round of 16 first leg due to injury, Ljajic will be expected to step up for the Lupi's away game against La Viola.
Garcia, who had the 23-year-old next to him during his Press conference ahead of tomorrow's game, was very open in his praise.
“I always said that he has an enormous talent,” said the French tactician. “I think he developed greater awareness, and now he knows he can be lethal for the team.
“I expected greater continuity from him, and he was even at the receiving end of some criticisms.
“But the final word is always spoken on the pitch and that's just where he answered me.
“Having said that, there are still three months to go and he can't afford to doze off.
“He is an important player because he leads by example.
“He is also our most prolific goalscorer. He'll come in handy for the final part of the season.
“Games get strange at that point. You might expect a strategy from your rivals and be confronted with something completely different.”
Garcia was also asked what the Europa League meant for his team at this point of the season.
“Let's put it this way, we knew that the Champions League wasn't for us.
“We want to reach the quarter-finals in this tournament and we have two games to do that.
“But our main seasonal objective remains qualifying for next year's Champions League.”