Lazio Coach Stefano Pioli defended his decision not to play Miroslav Klose in this afternoon's Coppa Italia tie, insisting the striker was injured.
The German striker admitted this week he has been unhappy at the amount of game time he’s been given, and the World Cup winner remained on the bench throughout the 3-0 win over Varese.
Lazio Coach Stefano Pioli defended his decision not to play Miroslav Klose in this afternoon's Coppa Italia tie, insisting the striker was injured.
The German striker admitted this week he has been unhappy at the amount of game time he’s been given, and the World Cup winner remained on the bench throughout the 3-0 win over Varese.
“Miro was going to play,” Pioli explained to RAI Sport after the game.
“He injured his back in training yesterday, and the pain flared up again. We hope to have him available for Saturday.
“He’s an important player for us, and he wants to play."
The Biancocelesti Coach praised the players who did take the field, after a comfortable win over the Serie B outfit.
“The lads played well.
“Today there were a lot of players out there who haven’t seen much playing time so far, but they train hard and are always available, and this result is testament to the good work we’re doing.
“We played good football, but we can still improve in terms of speed and accuracy.
“Now we have to follow-up this result with victory in the League.
“It won’t be easy against Parma, it’s a tough game against an opponent which is desperate for points and will give it everything.
“In Serie A there are no guarantees, as we’ve learned recently.”