Reja defends jeered players

Lazio boss Edy Reja has criticised supporters who mocked his side’s 1-0 win over lowly Cesena on Saturday.

Lazio provisionally moved to fourth place and two points from the top three with victory in the Italian capital, though fans who attended the Stadio Olimpico were left unimpressed and jeered the players and coach.

Reja believes the Lazio faithful are still stung from last Sunday’s 2-0 loss to Roma – their fifth straight derby defeat – but called on fans and the media to show more respect to his side.

“We are coming off five consecutive derby defeats and our fans are disappointed, as we are too, so it wasn’t easy to lift the team’s morale at the start of the week,” Reja said.

“Today we proved that we can react to difficulties and I’d say these players deserve nothing but applause.”

“Certainly they should have more respect from the media and some sections of the crowd.”

“There should be less criticism, considering these lads are having an extraordinary campaign with 36 points earned on home turf.”

Lazio face a crunch game against Napoli on Saturday, and will perhaps have to make do without Francelino Matuzalem after the Brazilian midfielder was caught on camera elbowing Luis Jimenez.