Edy Reja has described Saturday night’s meeting between joint League leaders Lazio” data-scaytid=”3″>Lazio and Juventus” data-scaytid=”4″>Juventus as ‘important for both sides’.
Edy Reja has described Saturday night’s meeting between joint League leaders Lazio and Juventus as ‘important for both sides’.
Speaking ahead of the Week 13 clash between the two sides that share top spot in the table, Reja has acknowledged that this could be a ‘defining fixture’ for his Aquile players.
An attendance of more than 60,000 fans is anticipated, which is bigger than crowds allowed to attend the Rome derby, where security restrictions apply.
“It would be nice to win this game for our fans, considering the wonderful audience that is expected.
“It’s an important game for us and for Juve. We are yet to produce a high level performance at home, we must do it now against Juventus. It is a key match that will demonstrate the exact size of our ambition.
“Juventus have found a tactical balance with [Simone] Pepe and [Andrea] Pirlo. Moreover, I’ve noticed that [Stephan] Lichtsteiner has considerably improved his crossing ability with respect to when he played with us, therefore we need to be wary.
“We’ve already played different teams with various systems and as far as that’s concerned we’re used to it. We’re ready.”
Indeed, having not beaten the Bianconeri in the League in front of their own fans for almost eight years, Reja argues of the significance picking up a win could have on any title ambitions.
“Are we in the Scudetto race? It is hard to say. Milan have organic and superior quality. Then there’s Juve. The two teams are the best candidates, with Inter to look forward to.
“But, we could be a surprise, depending on what we do in confrontations such as this one.”