Stefano Pioli felt Lazio deserved victory over Sampdoria and can challenge Juventus for the Coppa Italia Final.
Santiago Gentiletti made his comeback with a crucial goal eight months after injuring knee ligaments in the same stadium against Genoa.
“It’s the right reward for a lad who has been very unlucky, suffered a great deal, but also worked hard to help the team in these closing weeks,” the Coach told Sky Sport Italia.
Stefano Pioli felt Lazio deserved victory over Sampdoria and can challenge Juventus for the Coppa Italia Final.
Santiago Gentiletti made his comeback with a crucial goal eight months after injuring knee ligaments in the same stadium against Genoa.
“It’s the right reward for a lad who has been very unlucky, suffered a great deal, but also worked hard to help the team in these closing weeks,” the Coach told Sky Sport Italia.
“In football these situations can happen. This morning I decided to play him and it’s destiny that it was all in the same stadium.
“Clearly this was a decisive game for us. The defeat to Inter could’ve left a psychological hangover, but the lads gave a great response of unity, solidity and desire to get the absolute most from this campaign.
“This season only Juventus had won at Marassi, so that shows you how difficult it is to get a result here.
“Sampdoria have the same basic approach we do and the tempo was intense throughout. We had a great first half-hour, then got a little scared when we allowed them a couple of chances.
“I think my team deserved to win, put in a fine performance and I compliment my players.”
Lazio did not have the opportunity to rest stars ahead of Wednesday’s Coppa Italia Final against Juventus.
“Now we go into the Coppa Italia Final, we deserved our place there. We’ll be facing the best side in Italy, one of the best in Europe, but we earned the Final and want to play it.
“Juve didn’t need to, but today they again proved their strength and are extra motivated by targeting the Treble.
“Clearly we need the so-called perfect game, we are in Rome in front of our fans, so we’ll give it our best.
“I never believed there was any one system better than another. I believe a team needs the right spirit, determination and philosophy that can be used in multiple ways.
“I don’t think a system makes the difference so much as the interpretation. Lazio always tried to take the game to our opponents and play entertaining, attacking football.
“Now we have the Final we were dreaming of. It can be such a big event that it could affect Serie A, so we have to keep focused.
“Then there’s the derby, which naturally becomes more decisive and fundamental than ever.”