Lazio vs Cesena preview - Rocchi fores warning
Posted Saturday, March 19, 2011 by PA
Lazio captain Tommaso Rocchi has warned his team-mates they cannot afford to dwell on their bitter defeat to Roma last time out as they prepare for another important Serie A clash against Cesena.
The Biancoceleste lost 2-0 at the Stadio Olimpico last weekend to suffer their fifth straight derby defeat.
The result was all the more painful as it allowed Udinese to leapfrog Lazio into fourth in the standings and the top four teams at the end of the season qualify for the Champions League.
"We must leave behind all the negatives from that derby," Rocchi said.
"It is an important season and now the crucial games begin.
"We have obtained positive results this campaign and we cannot throw away all the good work we have done because we lost the derby.
"We have to believe in ourselves and focus on a top four finish.
"We owe it to ourselves and to our fans to battle until the end in order to achieve something important."
Lazio trail two points behind Udinese and are two points above sixth-placed Roma heading into Saturday's match at the Stadio Olimpico.
"Our only focus right now is on beating Cesena and put pressure on Udinese," Rocchi said.
Lazio coach Edy Reja will be forced to make some changes to his starting XI with respect to last weekend's match.
Stefan Radu, Stephan Lichtsteiner and Cristian Ledesma are all suspended.
Rivals Cesena cannot afford a defeat in Rome if they are to remain above the drop zone.
Last weekend's 2-2 draw against Juventus allowed Cesena to hold the last position of safety and they are just one point clear of 18th-place Lecce.
Cesena coach Massimo Ficcandeti hopes his team can keep up their recent good run of form on the road this weekend.
The promoted outfit have collected four points in their last two games away from home.
"We are on the right path," said Ficcandeti.
"We must keep up our good work and remain focused."
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