Lazio vs Novara Calcio preview - Reja desperate to bounce back

Posted Monday, December 05, 2011 by PA

Lazio coach Edy Reja has demanded a huge improvement from his players against Novara after their disappointing display in the Europa League in midweek.

The Romans were held to a goalless draw at Vaslui on Thursday to complicate their hopes of progressing to the round of 32.

That result has left Lazio needing to better Vaslui's result in the final round of Group D action on December 14.

"I expected a different performance from my players at Vaslui," Reja said. "It's a disappointing result because we had our chances to score and we didn't make them.

"But there is still one game left to play and we will try to do everything to advance to the next round.

"Now we must turn our attention to the league.

"I expect my players to show more character against Novara and win on Monday."

Last weekend's 1-0 defeat to Juventus ended Lazio's nine-game unbeaten run and dropped the Biancoceleste to fourth place.

Rivals Novara go into the encounter at the Stadio Olimpico in buoyant mood.

Attilio Tesser's side followed last weekend's 2-1 victory over Parma with a come-from-behind 3-2 triumph at Catania in midweek to progress to the last 16 of the Coppa Italia.

"My players have shown a lot of heart and determination in our last two games," Tesser said. "I have to congratulate them.

"We now face a difficult game at Lazio but I know my players will give their best."

Novara have yet to win on the road in Serie A this season and lie 18th in the standings, one point behind safety.

The visitors are without six injured payers and to complicate matters for Tesser, midfielder Filippo Porcari and striker Riccardo Meggiorini are both suspended.

The only consolation for the visitors is that defender Paolo Dellafiore has recovered from a muscular problem and is set to start.