Chievo vs Lazio preview - Mauri demands better from Lazio

Lazio captain Stefano Mauri is demanding an immediate response to last weekend's humiliation by Juventus when the Romans visit Chievo on Saturday.

The upwardly-mobile Biancocelesti were reminded they are still a long way from presenting Juve with a title challenge as the Turin side plundered a 3-0 win in the Italian capital.

Next up for Mauri and his team-mates is a trip to face lowly Chievo at the Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi and the midfielder wants to see a convincing backlash.

"We have not shown great team spirit for the last two games and we have to find it once again," he told La Repubblica Sport.

"We have been too erratic at times this season, not so much with our actual style of play but in our approach to different games.

"If we are to become a great side then we can not afford to be like that. By now we should have learned to ignore distractions.

"Our fans have noticed that they now have a good, competitive team to watch. So we will work harder to prepare for every game as if it were a final."

First-choice strikers Miroslav Klose and Filip Djordjevic are struggling with injuries while Michael Ciani, Bruno Pereirinha and Santiago Gentiletti remain long-term absentees.

Mauri added: "It will be a difficult challenge against Chievo, it's always tough to play them when they're at home.

"But we have to take all three points."

Eighteenth-placed Chievo are currently waiting to see if struggling attackers Valter Birsa and Ezequiel Schelotto can be fit for the match.

Victory over Lazio would move the Flying Donkeys - unbeaten in three games and still relishing the point they earned at Udinese last Sunday - out of the relegation zone.

Head coach Rolando Maran said: "Finding some continuity in our results will give us courage and a much-needed morale boost.

"My players have responded well to what I've asked from them. I feel a lot of them deserve to be singled out for praise because they've bounced back so convincingly."