Reja apologises for sorry Lazio

Lazio boss Edy Reja has apologised and taken responsibility for his team’s embarrassing 4-0 loss to Siena in Serie A on Saturday.

Reja’s fourth-placed side slumped to the shock loss away from home after Mattia Destro and Emanuele Calaio both netted braces to see their side move six points clear of the relegation zone.

The loss made it three straight winless league games for Lazio, but this defeat was particularly hard to take for Reja.

“This evening we just weren’t there. It was the worst performance in my entire Lazio career,” Reja said post-match.

“I can only apologise to the Lazio fans and take full responsibility, because this is not the same team that played so well in the first part of the season.”

Lazio goalkeeper Albano Bizzarri was sent off on the stroke of half-time, giving Siena a penalty that Calaio converted to make it 3-0 at the break.

Reja said the loss was unacceptable, and he wants his team to dwell on their poor performance.

“Albano Bizzarri’s red card did affect us a little, though we tried to fight back in the second half. The rest of the match can be chucked in the bin,” he said.

“We couldn’t wait for the game to end. We have to meditate on this defeat, because I cannot tolerate such an attitude. We played far too lightly.”

Giuseppe Sculli was unhappy with being substituted in the 80th minute, and Reja said took the midfielder off because he felt he was edgy.

“He said that he could’ve played another five minutes, but at that stage it wasn’t going to change much. I substituted him because he was too tense,” Reja said.

Lazio’s next outing is a home clash against Atalanta on January 15.