Stefano Pioli felt Lazio deserved to get something from the Derby della Capitale against Roma.
Lazio were beaten 2-1 by Roma with the three goals coming in the space of 12 minutes. First, Juan Iturbe put the Giallorossi ahead, but that strike was cancelled out by Filip Djordjevic. Before Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa restored Roma’s lead with just five minutes to play.
As a result, Lazio travel to the Stadio San Paolo on the final day of the season knowing that a loss to Napoli will mean they miss out on Champions League football at the expense of the Partenopei.
“Roma defended very well,” Pioli told Sky Sport Italia. “We were the ones playing the game, we moved the ball well but they sat back, so we couldn’t find any space.
“It is too bad because we deserved more, the game should have finished differently.
“Felipe Anderson did a great job and we were able to attack with more depth. We put Roma in a lot of difficulty, and I think they only had two or three shots on goal at most.
“It is a shame as we wanted to end the [Champions League] discussion today.
“We are very disappointed because in four days we have lost two games that we didn’t deserve to lose, but this is football and we have to prove we are a true team by going to Napoli and playing to our potential.
“We have to get our heads up. Our season will remain positive, but we mustn’t end it with too many regrets, and I am convinced we have laid the foundations for something stronger.”
When asked about Roma coach Rudi Garcia’s comments before the game, in which he insisted Lazio are always crying, Pioli was upfront in his response.
“When foreign coaches come here [Italy] I am happy,” Pioli continued, “and I think there is a lot to learn on all sides, but when they come here I see them become worse than us.
“Garcia said that we are crying, but he didn’t have to talk about a game that didn’t exist, he didn’t have to say it, and it isn’t a good thing to say from a professional point of view.”
