Romanian football legend Gheorghe Hagi warns Lazio that Steaua Bucharest “won’t be an easy game”.
The Biancocelesti face the Steliștii tonight in the first leg of their Europa League Last 32 tie, having won their group ahead of Mario Balotelli’s Nice.
While the Italians are heavy favourites, Romania’s greatest-ever footballer, who spent two seasons at Brescia, warns they can’t take it as a formality.
Romanian football legend Gheorghe Hagi warns Lazio that Steaua Bucharest “won’t be an easy game”.
The Biancocelesti face the Steliștii tonight in the first leg of their Europa League Last 32 tie, having won their group ahead of Mario Balotelli’s Nice.
While the Italians are heavy favourites, Romania’s greatest-ever footballer, who spent two seasons at Brescia, warns they can’t take it as a formality.
“They [Steaua] have so much experience, they went through by winning the group, so this won’t be an easy game for Lazio,” Hagi, who won three league titles with Steaua, warned in an interview with Corriere dello Sport.
“Steaua can do it, but they can’t get anything wrong. If they have a good day they’ll be difficult to contain.
“Considering Lazio's reduced budget, they are doing amazing things. In the last few years they’ve foreseen everything.
“Immobile is a great striker and they have young people of great class. Lazio have a beautiful future ahead of them.”
Hagi’s son, Ianis, spent 18 months at Fiorentina but made only two appearances.
“He was considered one of the 100 best young players in the world. He spent a year-and-a-half with the Viola.
“It’s not true that he was impatient as [Coach Stefano] Pioli said. I’m disappointed because Fiorentina didn’t give him the chance.”