Lazio coach Stefano Pioli believes the Biancocelesti are fully prepared to take on city rivals Roma in the Derby della Capitale on Monday in what is a key match for both clubs in their chase for Champions League qualification.
With the Giallorossi holding a slim one point advantage over the Aquile for the final automatic qualification spot for Europe’s top competition, Pioli knows the match has an even greater significance for the Biancocelesti despite their already successful season to date.
“It will be a fundamental match for us,” the tactician stated at his pre-match press conference.
“We’ve done everything to arrive at this point. We have recovered physically and mentally. We are concentrated on giving our best.
“The team is doing well, they have a lot of motivation as the fatigue from the Coppa [Italia] has been overcome. Luckily we will play tomorrow, as we need another day.”
The Bianconcelesti fell to Juventus 2-1 in extra-time last Wednesday, missing out on the chance to claim the club’s seventh Coppa Italia crown, and despite the defeat Pioli is adamant there are positives his squad can take from that match.
“Having lost in that fashion to a team like Juventus has given us more security. Last week we did well against Samp, now there is another match in which we want to perform in the best way possible,”
