FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk vs Lazio preview - Lazio coach Stefano Pioli expects a tough Europa League test at Dnipro

Posted Thursday, September 17, 2015 by PA

Lazio coach Stefano Pioli expects a very stern test when his side travels to Ukraine to face Dnipro in Thursday's Europa League Group G opener.

Dnipro lost 3-2 to Sevilla in last season's final of the competition.

The encounter at the Dnipro Arena will be the first time the two sides have met in UEFA competition.

Pioli, whose side is also paired with Rosenborg and St Etienne in the pool, told the Italian press: "It's a very competitive group.

"We will try to go through, of course, but we can't underestimate anyone.

"Dnipro are a team that deserves respect because they are strong and proved it by reaching last season's final.

"We expect difficult games from the start."

Lazio, who finished fourth in Serie A in 2014-15, missed a chance to play in the Champions League group stages when they lost 3-1 on aggregate against Bayer Leverkusen in last month's play-off tie.

"We are not ready to compete on certain levels," Pioli admitted.

"But we are trying to get to those levels."

Dnipro, coached by Myron Markevych, have won their last five European home games without conceding a goal.

Lazio have not lost to a Ukrainian side since 1975. Since then, the Biancoceleste have won their last seven games against Ukrainian opponents.

Thursday's encounter will be played away behind closed doors as punishment for Dnipro fans invading the pitch in last year's semi-final clash against Napoli.

Dnipro warmed up for this match with Saturday's 4-1 triumph at Metalurh Zaporizhya, their fourth win of the campaign.

Markevych's side has lost just one of its seven league games and is third in the domestic standings, five points adrift of leaders Dynamo Kiev.

"Lazio are a very good side, but their defeat by Leverkusen (in the Champions League play-offs) suggests they do not have enough experience," Markevych said.

"As we were the finalists last year, we need at least to qualify from our group."

Lazio, meanwhile, beat Udinese 2-0 at the weekend, with Alessandro Matri scoring twice on his debut.

The Romans have won two of their opening three games in Serie A.

The visitors will not be at full strength with Lucas Biglia, Stefan De Vrij, Miroslav Klose and Filip Djordjevic all out injured while Mauricio is suspended. Matri is expected to lead Lazio's attack against Dnipro.

Dnipro, who sold Ukrainian winger Yevhen Konoplyanka to Sevilla this summer, expect to play with captain Ruslan Rotan in support of attacking pair Yevhen Seleznyov and Matheus.