Stefano Pioli says Lazio showed great 'spirit' and 'determination' in the 1-0 defeat to Genoa, and that they have 'the means to climb back'.
The Biancocelesti started out strongly on Monday evening but compromised their plans when Federico Marchetti crashed into M'Baye Niang to concede a first-half penalty.
Stefano Pioli says Lazio showed great 'spirit' and 'determination' in the 1-0 defeat to Genoa, and that they have 'the means to climb back'.
The Biancocelesti started out strongly on Monday evening but compromised their plans when Federico Marchetti crashed into M'Baye Niang to concede a first-half penalty.
The ‘keeper was red carded and Diego Perotti converted for what proved to be the only goal of the Week 22 fixture. Even so, Pioli was impressed with the match produced by his team.
“In terms of spirit, will and determination my players had a great game,” the Coach considered post-match.
“Of course it's difficult when you're down to 10 men against a team that presses so well.
“After the penalty we should have been more careful because we know matches are decided by these episodes.
“I chose to take out a midfielder because I didn't want the players to think we wouldn't attack.
“I kept Mauri because he's ideal to support someone like Klose, and he did.
“It's a shame to walk out with zero points, but I think we walk out also with great conviction.
“We are not in the position we'd like to be, but we know we have the means to climb back.
“Results may not be on our side at the moment, but the quality of game was there and the team showed the right values.
“We never deluded ourselves that it would be an easy path, we knew it would be full of traps. But we know we have the means to overcome them.
“We showed in the game that we wanted to win it at all costs. We could have handled it better after losing a man, but it's not easy in those conditions.
“If we'd scored instead of hitting the post we'd be talking about a team with a great fighting spirit.
“I'm not happy because results make the difference, but I have a positive outlook because three days ago we looked like the most beautiful team in Italy alongside Juventus.
“We made a mistake in the game against Cesena, but not tonight.”
The Biancocelesti Coach, however, was not satisfied with the level of the refereeing throughout the match.
“I'm sorry to say this, but I thought the refereeing in this game was one-sided.
“Individual episodes can happen, but we've been penalised many times now.
“This way you undermine the credibility of the system. We need to be very careful.”
Finally, the 49-year-old had some words of praise for one of his Azzurri prospects.
“[Winger Antonio] Candreva is a great player with great quality and ability. I think he can do more and be decisive."