Brocchi plays down Lazio´s title chances

Cristian Brocchi is proud of Lazio’s achievements this season, but believes it is too soon for the club to mount a title challenge.

Brocchi, 34, has played an important part in Lazio’s impressive form in the first half of the campaign.

After topping the table earlier in the season, they are three points behind league leaders AC Milan with 15 games played.

Their latest success was a 3-1 win over defending champions Inter Milan last Friday.

A former AC player, defensive midfielder Brocchi made the journey south to link up with Lazio in 2008.

After two indifferent seasons resulting in mid-table finishes, he has witnessed an improvement in attitude from the current squad, but maintains they are still some way off a legitimate tilt at Serie A glory.

“Being in this position makes us happy and gives a lot of pleasure both to the players and the fans,” Brocchi said.

“The spirit of the group and the desire to do well is maybe what we were missing before.”

“I am not afraid to say the word Scudetto, but I also don’t have the naivety to do it.”

“Lazio are still not ready to challenge for the title. It’s right to dream, but we need to be realistic.”

Brocchi believes a number of clubs still hold an advantage over Lazio in terms of playing resources, but he has confidence in the plans of owner Claudio Lotito.

“Right now we are behind with respect to three or four teams in the League. Anyway, Lotito’s project can lead us to winning the Scudetto.”