Cagliari vs Lazio preview - Reja ready for Lazio stay
Posted Sunday, February 27, 2011 by PA
Lazio`s fans have been handed a boost ahead of their game with Cagliari with the news that coach Edy Reja is set to remain at the club next season.
Biancoceleste president Claudio Lotito announced ahead of the clash that his club intends to offer Reja a contract extension.
Reja guided Lazio out of the relegation zone and into a mid-table finish last season, and his current deal expires this summer.
Lazio are enjoying a fine campaign this time around and head into tomorrow`s encounter at the Sant' Elia stadium in fourth position in the standings.
"Reja will absolutely be our coach next season," Lotito said.
"I chose him last year because I believed he had the potential to help our team improve, and he has done just that.
"He has a strong character and qualities which are able to lift the group, turning it into a winning one."
Last weekend's 1-0 triumph over Bari followed their 2-0 victory at Brescia and extended Lazio's unbeaten run to five games.
The Biancoceleste will now be looking to strengthen their grip on fourth place - the last Champions League qualifying spot.
The Romans are unbeaten this month and hold a four-point advantage over fifth-place Udinese with 12 games remaining.
"There are many games left to play," Reja said. "We are enjoying this positive time but we are not looking too far ahead.
"We have to take things one step at a time."
Cagliari, in contrast, fell 1-0 to Inter Milan in the last round of fixtures.
The outcome marked their second loss in three games and dropped the Sardinian outfit to ninth in the standings.
"I told my players that they need to turn the page," Cagliari coach Roberto Donadoni said.
"We are going through a negative time but we have to snap out of it before we fall further in the standings.
"We must get three points against Lazio."
Cagliari will seek home comfort having won three of their last four games at the Sant' Elia.
Cagliari will be at full strength this weekend while Lazio travel to Sardinia having to do without injured Fernando Muslera, Cristian Brocchi and Tommaso Rocchi.
Tommaso Berni will replace Muslera in goal.
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