Edy Reja thinks it's high time Lazio ended their Derby della Capitale taboo. “It's our turn now and we deserve it.”
Roma have won the last four derbies on the trot and Reja has never beaten them in his career, while the Biancocelesti's last ‘home' success in this fixture was 1997.
“There's always a first time for everything,” smiled the Coach. “I have the feeling it's our turn now.
Edy Reja thinks it's high time Lazio ended their Derby della Capitale taboo. “It's our turn now and we deserve it.”
Roma have won the last four derbies on the trot and Reja has never beaten them in his career, while the Biancocelesti's last ‘home' success in this fixture was 1997.
“There's always a first time for everything,” smiled the Coach. “I have the feeling it's our turn now.
“We can win this game and if there is to be a little justice, then it has to be a Lazio victory. I don't want to drag up the history of refereeing errors in recent derbies, but our result depends on our performance and not the officials.
“I really want to win the derby, because you all know what that means within the city, but also because three points would open up some interesting situations in the table. It would be the just reward for what we have been doing since the start of the season.”
Andre Dias requires a late fitness test, but Roma's confidence will have been dented by their 3-0 midweek Champions League defeat at Shakhtar Donetsk.
“Roma will give it their all to get back into the race for a top four finish, but it's our duty not to let them through. We have creativity, pace and players who can attack the space.
“It is a very particular game in terms of tension and we need the right approach as well as a cool head, without falling for provocation. Roma will be fired up, because they know how important this game is for their season.”
This week Mauro Zarate's brother and agent, Sergio, blasted Reja for “destroying” the striker with his tactics.
“The problem with the Lazio atmosphere is that people expect him to resolve the match for us, so if he doesn't get that moment of magic, he gets depressed,” explained the Coach.
“He needs to put his quality to the service of Lazio and not feel he has to be our saviour. He has to play like Samuel Eto'o at Inter and we've talked about this before.
“I ask the fans to leave Maurito alone and the same goes for his agent, whose comments were inappropriate. Before opening your mouth, make sure your tongue is linked to your brain.”