Vladimir Petkovic is confident Lazio “will do everything possible to win” against Tottenham. “They are not over-rated.”
Vladimir Petkovic is confident Lazio “will do everything possible to win” against Tottenham. “They are not over-rated.”
The Biancocelesti are currently leading Group J on eight points, followed by Tottenham on six and Maribor with four.
“Mathematically we are forced to win so that we can definitively secure top spot. We will do everything possible to win so that the first phase is concluded tomorrow,” he said in his Press conference.
“In any case, it’s not the last game, but we will try to win it. This is why I’ll field my first choice line-up. Some players are injured, others are carrying knocks that need to be evaluated, so I need players who are 100 per cent fit.
“Tomorrow we’ve got to give our all and that means peak physical fitness too. Miroslav Klose has had a few problems and it is very important for us to have 11 men on the field who are 100 per cent.”
Lazio held Tottenham to a 0-0 draw at White Hart Lane and hope to make the most of home advantage on Thursday, especially as Spurs have been struggling in the Premier League.
“I don’t think Tottenham are over-rated. They are not in a positive moment, but this makes them even more dangerous, as they will want to fight back and prove themselves. It’ll be a very important game for them.
“I am not worried by Gareth Bale and Aaron Lennon. I do not choose my line-up based on the opposition. We need to know their strengths and weaknesses, but not necessarily change to adapt. It’s going to be different to the game in London.
“We will not be making any calculations. We go out there to win and to do so convincingly, both tomorrow and in the last game. Whether we need to or not, we will go to Maribor looking for the victory.”
Lazio have invited Paul Gascoigne to the Stadio Olimpico for the match to see his two former clubs face off.
“He is a player who will always be in the Lazio history books,” added Petkovic. “Everyone will be happy to see him at the stadium and it’ll be a good reason for more people to attend.”