Cagliari vs Lazio preview - Lopez laments Cagliary confidence

Posted Saturday, March 15, 2014 by PA

Cagliari will be out to maintain their unbeaten run when Lazio travel to the Stadio Sant'Elia in Sardinia on Sunday.

The Biancocelesti, meanwhile, will need to bounce back from the disappointment of last week's 1-0 home defeat by Atalanta, where victory could have boosted hopes of perhaps making a late push for one of the European places.

Cagliari gave themselves an eight-point cushion over the drop zone when they survived the sending off of midfielder Danilo Avelar to draw 1-1 at Catania.

"The important thing is that we are moving up in the standings," Cagliari coach Diego Lopez said. "I see my team united and determined to end the season in the best possible way."

Cagliari midfielder Matias Vecino will be out to add to his two goals in the last two games, but defenders Davide Astori and Danilo Avelar are suspended after their bookings against Catania. Forward Marco Sau has returned to training and could be involved.

Lazio boss Edy Reja - returning to the Rome club following the sacking of Vladimir Petkovic in January - still has some work to do to find the right balance to his side, who went out of the Europa League to unfancied Bulgarians Ludogorets.

Defeat to Atalanta was Lazio's third loss at the Stadio Olimpico this season and dropped the Biancoceleste to eighth in the standings.

"We didn't play a good game," Reja said. "We didn't show the same hunger and determination that we displayed in our wins against Sassuolo and Fiorentina.

"I'm disappointed because the fans that turned up to watch the game deserved much more.

"I expect a better performance from my players in Sunday's match at Cagliari."

Midfielder Antonio Candreva is suspended, Stefano Mauri and Senad Lulic are likely to provide the width. With Andre Dias out, Michael Ciani will probably come into defence.

Cristian Ledesma, though, should be available again to play in midfield if needed. Club medic Stefano Salvatori said on Lazio Style Radio: "Should things go as planned, if the coach deems it appropriate, he can play in Cagliari for the whole 90 minutes."

Albania midfielder Lorik Cana is still not available because of a back problem.