Cesena vs Lazio preview - Lazio look to build on winning run

Posted Saturday, January 31, 2015 by PA

Lazio coach Stefano Pioli has showered his team with praise ahead of Sunday's game at Cesena where the Roman outfit will look to make it three wins in a row.

The Biancoceleste beat AC Milan 1-0 on Tuesday night to progress to the semi-finals of the Coppa Italia.

The victory at the San Siro, courtesy of midfielder Lucas Biglia's penalty goal, was all the more impressive considering Lazio were forced to play a man down for the entire second half after defender Lorik Cana was sent off.

"I want to congratulate my players," Pioli told the Italian press. "This was a great test of character and sacrifice.

"My team overcame adversity and put on a brave display.

"We really wanted to go through to the next round and we deserved it."

Tuesday's result followed last Saturday's 3-1 triumph over Milan in Serie A that kept the Biancoceleste in fourth place in the Serie A table, two points adrift of Napoli, who are third and hold the last Champions League qualifying spot.

Lazio have lost just one of their last eight league games and Pioli has urged his players to keep up their solid form.

The Biancoceleste travel to the Dino Manuzzi stadium without Serbia striker Filip Djordjevic, who is sidelined with an ankle injury.

Djordjevic, who has scored seven goals and set up two more in 20 league appearances for Lazio, will be sidelined for three months.

The visitors will be without Cana and Biglia, who are both suspended.

Cesena beat Parma 2-1 last time out to halt an 18-match winless run in Serie A.

Club coach Domenico Di Carlo hopes last weekend's success will be a turning point in their season and spark his team in a bid to avoid the drop.

"The road to defend our top-flight status is long and arduous," Di Carlo said. "But we are moving in the right direction."

The victory, Cesena's second of the campaign and their first on the road, lifted the Emilia-Romagna minnows off the foot of the standings and into 19th place, seven points adrift of safety.b