Lazio can show more, says Reja

Manager Edoardo Reja believes his Lazio side has plenty of ‘room for improvement’ ahead of their Serie A clash with Sampdoria on Sunday.

Lazio are third and six points adrift of league leaders AC Milan, and the much-travelled manager knows his players can ill-afford a slip up if they are to maintain their title challenge.

But Reja believes the squad has more ability than it is showing, and expects that to become evident in the second half of the season.

“Many players should improve, for example (Sergio) Floccari, (Mauro) Zarate and Hernanes, who only arrived a few months ago and is starting to fit in now,” he said.

“I expect a general improvement in the performance, not only by these players. If we want to achieve certain results, the whole team should improve, and especially those players who have had good performances, but still have room for improvement. ”

“We know them and know what they can do.”

Lazio went on an eight-match unbeaten streak earlier in the campaign, chalking up five wins in succession.

But Reja’s side have won just one of their past four games, adding plenty of importance to Sunday visit of Sampdoria.

“We should focus on tomorrow’s match, which is essential if we want to find the right path again, the one we left some time ago,” Reja said.

“This is a difficult and important match. We’re going to play against a team with good skills, which does not concede many goals since it’s able to close very well and then quickly counter attack.”

“The players from the midfield onwards have important skills and therefore we should give our best performance in order to play an intense match and try to win as we have on previous occasions.”