After a resounding 4-0 defeat of Palermo in Sicily on Monday night Lazio coach Stefano Pioli believes his side showed how they are improving as a group under his stewardship and are focused on obtaining European qualification this season.
However, despite the scoreline the hosts did trouble the Aquile in the opening period, but when hat-trick hero Filip Djordjevic netted shortly before half-time they rarely looked like overcoming the men from Rome.
“This is a victory from a team that wanted to make up after two defeats that were undeserved,” Pioli told Mediset.
“There was a great desire on the part of the boys and I’m satisfied, the group is working well.”
With Italian international Antonio Candreva surprisingly withdrawn after just 58 minutes, and with just a one goal lead, the 48-year-old admitted that he felt the attacker was weary from his recent outings.
“The guy [Candreva] was a little tired,” insisted Pioli. “It was his third consecutive match.
“I have so many options, but are also important changes.
“We must improve in defence. We had several difficulties in the first half and with a little more concentration some errors could have been avoided.
“Our goal is Europe, we do not hide. It will not be easy as there are many teams equipped [to challenge], but we believe we have the right qualities to achieve this goal.”
Follow Kevin Pogorzelski on Twitter: @rabbitrabbiton
