Edy Reja admits he “had not planned” for Lazio’s home defeat to Ludogorets and told off Felipe Anderson.
Edy Reja admits he “had not planned” for Lazio’s home defeat to Ludogorets and told off Felipe Anderson.
“We started out timidly and Ludogorets press very well. They’ve been organised and making an impact for the past two years,” the Coach told Sky Sport Italia.
“We had four or five opportunities to put the ball in the net and didn’t manage it. Naturally we did not expect this result and we’ll now have to go to Bulgaria and try to overturn it.”
Both teams had penalties saved, but in Lazio’s case it emerged Felipe Anderson was not meant to take it.
“Before each game I write down two penalty takers, which in this case was Lucas Biglia and Miroslav Klose. I called Biglia over and asked what happened. It seems Anderson earned the penalty and was swept up in the enthusiasm of the moment, so took the ball.
“He didn’t have the cool head needed in this situation. Biglia should’ve stopped him, but these things do happen and penalties can be missed.
“We made mistakes between the lines and Ludogorets did well in possession.”
Reja was asked why he made five changes to his line-up from Sunday’s 3-1 defeat to Catania.
“I made changes because Serie A is important. Before the weekend we were four points off the European qualification zone, so I had to favour that tournament. I have a squad of 24 players and have to let some of them rest.”