Lazio intent on staying third

Lazio goalkeeper Federico Marchetti has stressed his team are determined to strengthen their grip on third place ahead of Sunday's Serie A clash at relegation strugglers Novara.

Edy Reja's side have a three-point advantage over nearest challengers Udinese and will be keen to preserve that, as well as make up for Wednesday's 2-1 loss at Juventus with a win this weekend.

"To give away a goal from a free-kick with seven minutes remaining burns," Marchetti said. "But that defeat at Juventus is no drama and we are ready to hit back.

"This team has always reacted after a defeat and that is what we will do on Sunday."

With Udinese taking on another Champions League hopeful, Inter Milan, on Saturday, the Biancoceleste know a win in Novara could see them well on their way to a top-three finish.

"We will see what happens in Udine," Marchetti said. "But we know our fate is in our hands.

"We have to focus on ourselves and not on others."

Lazio will have to show a vast improvement if they are to take three points away from the Silvio Piola stadium.

The Biancoceleste have not won away from Rome since beating Chievo 3-0 in Verona on January 29 while they will also look to halt a three-match losing streak.

Novara, meanwhile, head into this weekend's encounter on the back of a 2-0 loss at Parma.

That result left Novara second-bottom, 11 points from safety with six games left to play.

Novara coach Attilio Tesser has demanded a drastic improvement from his players.

"Against Parma, in the opening half my players were like ghosts," Tesser said. "We were never in the game and it was the worst first-half performance from my team since I returned to guide the squad."

"We must find solidity in defence if we wish to start taking positive results."

Novara have the second-worst back line in the competition behind Genoa with 54 goals conceded in 32 games.

The visitors will be without defender Libor Kozac and midfielder Stefano Mauri, both suspended. Defender Andrea Dias and striker Miroslav Klose are still sidelined through injury.