We can fight for title, says Lazio coach Reja

Lazio coach Edy Reja insisted his side can fight for the title after their 2-0 win over Napoli ended their run of two straight defeats.

Mauro Zarate was the hero, scoring one and setting up Sergio Floccari for the second.

And the three points against a team who started the day third, just a point and a place below Lazio in the table has left Reja buoyant.

“I have a very competitive team. I don’t know if we’ll stay top (the win took them provisionally top), we’ll see, but we’ll definitely fight to the end for the top positions,” said Reja, whose side are second one point behind leaders AC Milan.

It was the perfect riposte after two damaging defeats in a row, at home to Roma in the Rome derby last weekend and then away to lowly Cesena in midweek.

“Sometimes we also mess up a match. Certain things went against us but it happens that you can lose sometimes,” added the veteran boss.

“I’m not happy about the criticisms that rained down on us after the Cesena defeat.

“I make decisions for the good of the team and against Cesena I was convinced I could rest some players and still get a result.

“Unfortunately it went badly but those who rested there were decisive against Napoli.”

Reja had encouraging words for Zarate who had gone through a near 14-month drought in front of goal in home games.

He opened the scoring on 15 minutes when he ran onto a long ball forward from Stefano Mauri, controlled it on his chest and then fired left footed into the far corner.

Although he hasn’t always been first choice this season, he was a constant menace and teed up Foccari for the second on 61 minutes.

He had two further chances, bringing a fine save out of Morgan De Sanctis and then seeing his goal bound effort clip Paolo Cannavaro’s head and come back off the bar.

“From a morale point of view, he certainly needed that goal. Mauro needs to find confidence because he’s a player who can make a difference,” added Reja.

“He’s never played a game like he did today, I have to keep him in mind as I’ve always done.

“He has great ability but it’s up to him to prove himself.”