Reja rotations pay dividends

Lazio coach Edy Reja said his side deserved their qualification to the Europa League round-of-32 after beating Sporting Lisbon on Wednesday.

The 2-0 result combined with FC Vaslui’s 2-0 loss to FC Zurich guaranteed the Rome-based club finish second in Group C.

Reja did rotate his squad yet was forced to field first-team regulars such as Djibril Cisse and Hernanes due to a lengthy injury list.

“If we got to this stage, it’s because we deserved this qualification. Our performances have been good throughout the competition, even when they weren’t supported by the results,” the coach told reporters after the game.

“We did struggle to qualify, especially as I have few options to rotate the squad. There are many injury problems and I hope to have some (of the players) back for the games against Udinese and Chievo.”

“We gave it our all from the very start to score, so fortunately after breaking the deadlock it all became much easier.”

Lazio return to Serie A action this weekend when they entertain top-of-the-table Udinese at the Stadio Olimpico.