Lazio proved point, says Reja

Edy Reja felt Lazio needed to beat Parma on Sunday to confirm their aspirations as genuine challengers in Serie A this season.

Reja’s side ran out 1-0 winners in the match at the Stadio Olimpico, thanks to a late goal from Giuseppe Sculli.

The victory keeps Lazio joint top alongside Udinese, and Reja understands the necessity of picking up maximum points against a struggling team like Parma.

“It is important to win the match,” Reja said.

“When playing against Juventus or AC Milan anything can happen, but these are the matches that Lazio should win and this represents an important sign.”

The match was Lazio’s third in seven days from all competitions, with Reja blaming fatigue for his team’s failure to impose themselves early in the contest.

“Well, you know very well that we’re not fresh,” he said.

“In the first 20 to 30 minutes of the first half of the match we have had some difficulties.”

“The opposing team was faster and we were not attacking and finalizing the actions … But I can’t demand more right now.”

Reja claimed the team’s individual experiences at other clubs has prepared them well for a shot at the Scudetto.

“We’re feeling at ease in that position (joint top), we haven’t any problems, since the players have often held high positions,” he said.

And when asked about his aspirations for the season ahead, the veteran coach said: “We’d (like to) remain at the top. I’m just joking; there is no need to write articles on this. If someone doesn’t like this, they should try to throw us down.”