Assistant manager Lazio: Fans affected us

(GSM) – Lazio assistant manager Giovanni Lopez has admitted that his team “was slightly affected” by their own fans, who were cheering on Internazionale during their match on Sunday.

The 2-0 result at the Olimpico pleased home and away supporters alike, as it sends Roma back down to second place.

“Did the behaviour of the fans affect us? It did slightly yes,” confessed the suspended Edy Reja’s replacement.

“We tried during the week to isolate ourselves from that surreal environment, but it was not easy. We started out with the right motivation.

“The staff were focused on what was happening on the pitch, but we also realised that the whole stadium cheered when Walter Samuel scored.

“In the first half we went pretty well, but when conceding the second goal we just collapsed.

“Our plan had been to soak up pressure and go on the counter, but Inter’s goal knocked the wind out of our sails.”