Lazio Coach Stefano Pioli said they’ll make up for the lack of experience against Bayer Leverkusen with “youth and vitality.”
The first leg of the Champions League play-off was a 1-0 victory at the Stadio Olimpico and they visit Leverkusen tomorrow night.
“We are very happy to have over 2,000 Lazio fans with us and thank them. Together we are much stronger,” said Pioli in his Press conference.
Lazio Coach Stefano Pioli said they’ll make up for the lack of experience against Bayer Leverkusen with “youth and vitality.”
The first leg of the Champions League play-off was a 1-0 victory at the Stadio Olimpico and they visit Leverkusen tomorrow night.
“We are very happy to have over 2,000 Lazio fans with us and thank them. Together we are much stronger,” said Pioli in his Press conference.
“I am preparing for this fixture the same way as the players, finding determination and concentration, but also the calm that comes with knowing you’ve done everything possible.
“We’ve been working towards this target for a year now with a thousand sacrifices. We always believed and that will be the case tomorrow too.
“Naturally Bayer will attack us from the start, but we will do the same. We know they have enormous potential in attack, but so do we. The first leg result is only the tiniest of advantages and we must give everything for 95 minutes.”
Lazio lost some of their more experienced players, including Miroslav Klose and Lucas Biglia, to injury for this match.
“Clearly we lose something in terms of experience, but make up for it with the youth and vitality of those who step in. We won’t have the characteristics of Biglia and Klose, but those of other players in our squad that can take us to victory.”
Ricardo Kishna scored on his Serie A debut and is only 20 years old, while Keita Balde Diao netted the winner against Bayer Leverkusen and is also 20.
Candidates to replace Biglia in midfield are Danilo Cataldi, who turned 21 earlier this month, and 20-year-old Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.
Pioli was asked whether he will transform his usual 4-3-3 to adopt a three-man defence.
“I have some very versatile players who can adapt to various tactical systems. What counts is quality and motivation, moving as a team regardless of the starting positions.”