Lazio” data-scaytid=”1″>Lazio Coach Edy Reja prepares to face Cesena tomorrow, but remains furious about playing in these climactic conditions. “This is ice-skating, not football.”
Lazio Coach Edy Reja prepares to face Cesena tomorrow, but remains furious about playing in these climactic conditions. “This is ice-skating, not football.”
The Biancocelesti’s journey to Genoa over the weekend was repeatedly delayed by heavy snowfall, taking over seven hours, while the club demanded repeatedly that the game be postponed.
It went ahead and Genoa won 3-2 with Lazio picking up several injuries on the frozen pitch. It’s still not clear whether Thursday’s 19.45 UK time kick-off with Cesena will go ahead, be brought forward or called off completely.
“We are talking to the authorities and should know soon,” said Reja in his Press conference. “We will try to bring it forward, because we are not going to step on to that field in the evening.
“The Genoa game on Sunday should’ve been called off, because that was ice-skating, not football. The result is not the problem, but rather being forced to play in those conditions when we struggled to stay on our feet and picked up three injuries.
“Stefan Radu is out, while Hernanes needs a fitness test. I’ll try with Marius Stankevicius, but the situation is very bad and there’s no point denying it. We’re trying to push our way through these problems.
“I’ve never seen an injury crisis like it. We’ve had to miss 31 training sessions because of the weather and the games being so close to each other. Clearly by not working on fitness levels, you cannot prevent injuries.”
Reja then made an appeal to the Biancocelesti supporters at the Stadio Olimpico.
“This team is in trouble and needs the affection of its fans. Yesterday there were 1,000 supporters to help and cheer us on, which really fired us up and was immensely pleasing. Even if we are tired and there are only a few of us left, we will give everything until the last drop of sweat.”