Lazio vs Siena preview - Petkovic: Believe in yourselves

Posted Sunday, September 30, 2012 by PA

Lazio head coach Vladimir Petkovic has challenged his side to believe in their abilities ahead of Sunday's Serie A match against Siena despite a worrying dip in form.

The Biancocelesti have not won in their last three games and were comfortably beaten 3-0 by Napoli on Wednesday evening.

That win came after Lazio forward Miroslav Klose owned up to scoring a goal with his hand, which saw his effort chalked off.

Siena, in contrast to Lazio, have won their last two matches against Inter Milan and Bologna and will approach the match at the Stadio Olimpico with confidence.

But Petkovic is not concerned that his side are lagging four points behind leaders Juventus with five games played, and has called for his team to regain their modesty.

"We must continue to take the field with the mentality of thinking that they [the opposition] are the strongest. We were arrogant," Petkovic told Tuttosport following the Napoli defeat.

"The gap [to Juventus] is only 4 points. Now we have to stay positive and we have to win the next game."

Despite their recent success, Siena are still in the relegation zone after they started the new season with a six-point penalty - meted out for their involvement in match-fixing.

They currently have two points, but they are looking to continue their winning habit and climb out of the bottom three.

Head coach Serse Cosmi has fitness doubts over goalkeeper Andrea Campagnolo, midfielder Manual Coppola and striker Alessandro Rosina, who will all undergo late fitness tests ahead of the match.