Lazio vs Torino preview - Darmian in buoyant mood

Torino defender Matteo Darmian is confident his side can end a successful week with a flourish when they take on Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday.

The Turin outfit followed last weekend's 1-0 Serie A triumph over Udinese with a 2-0 home victory over HJK Helsinki in the Europa League on Thursday.

Goals from Christian Molinaro and Amauri handed Toro their second win in the European competition's group stage and lifted the Italians to the top of Group B, two points clear of Club Brugge.

"To lead our group gives us a boost in confidence," Darmian said. "We go into Sunday's game against Lazio in buoyant mood.

"We are doing well in Europe but there are still three games left to play and we still have work to do to progress to the next round.

"Now we must focus on the domestic front.

"We know we face a difficult game in Rome but if we show the same focus that we displayed against Helsinki, there is no reason why we cannot bring home three points.

"We need to improve our position in the standings."

Giampiero Ventura's side has won two of its seven games in Serie A and are 12th in the standings.

Lazio are not competing in Europe this season and are four points clear of Sunday's rivals.

The Biancoceleste are looking to make it three wins in a row this weekend.

The Romans edged Sassuolo 3-2 before beating Fiorentina 2-0 on Sunday in Florence.

"It's good to be climbing up in the standings," Lazio striker Filip Djordjevic said. "This team has quality and our recent results confirm this.

"We cannot afford to take our foot off the pedal if we want to reach the European qualifying places."

Lazio coach Stefano Pioli is hoping pivotal midfielder Antonio Candreva can recover from the flu to feature in the match.

But the visitors will be without midfielder Omar El Kaddouri, who must serve a one-match ban.