Reja hits back at Zamparini jibe

Lazio coach Edy Reja hit back at claims from Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini that they have been lucky by saying Saturday they deserve to be top of the league.

Lazio face potentially their sternest test yet this season when they travel to Sicily to tackle Zamparini’s Palermo.

And although the president claimed he’s sure his side will win, Reja sprang to his team’s defence.

“We’re not top through luck, every point we’ve won was deserved,” he said.

“The things I’ve heard this week were nothing but provocations, envy and jealousy.

“I don’t know if Palermo are better than us, we’ll see at the end of the season.

“They have a good squad, that’s true, great ability and young players who have great desire to make a name for themselves.”

Reja said he would be particularly wary of Palermo’s two playmakers, Argentine Javier Pastore and Slovenian Josip Ilicic.

“We’ll need to play with great intensity in Palermo. I need 11 players to be on top of their game because Palermo are a very good side and can put you under pressure, particularly their two three-quarters Pastore and Ilicic,” added Reja.