Reja moving on from derby defeat

Lazio manager Edy Reja says it is time to move on from what he describes as a ‘terrible’ week.

Reja, 65, watched his side slump to a 2-0 defeat in a tense derby against AS Roma on Sunday in a match in which Stefan Radu and Cristian Ledesma were also sent off.

Lazio have now dropped two of their last three Serie A games and slipped to fifth on the table after showing good form earlier in the season.

“I’ve had a terrible week,” Reja said.

“I am mortified and I am very sorry for our fans. I’ve lost my fourth derby in a row and this doesn’t make me happy above all because this time we did little, but Roma have had five penalties in the last four derbies.”

But Reja said the time to turn things around is now, starting with Saturday’s home match against relegation-threatened Cesena. Lazio also face third-placed Napoli and Inter, who sit second, in the next five matches.

“Saturday’s game is fundamental. We can’t allow ourselves any more false steps,” he said.

“I have spoken with the team. It seems to me that they’ve put the disappointment behind them and I’ve seen a great desire to react.”