´Sorry´ Reja struck for words

Lazio boss Edy Reja was at a loss to explain his side’s 2-1 defeat at home to relegation battlers Lecce on Sunday.

Reja issued an apology to fans after the shock loss, which left Lazio six points adrift of AC Milan on the Serie A table and saw Lecce move to within a point of escaping the drop zone.

Lazio goalkeeper Fernando Muslera was credited with an unfortunate own-goal in the 39th minute when Brazilian striker Jeda’s shot cannoned off the post, into the shot-stopper’s back and over the line.

Stefano Mauri equalised shortly after the break from a free kick, but Uruguayan midfielder Carlos Grossmueller stunned the Scudetto hopefuls with a winner in the 73rd minute.

A disappointed Reja conceded his side may have been complacent against Lecce, who had not won away all season before Sunday’s match.

“Well, you know this is difficult to understand,” Reja told reporters.

“The way we played in the first half has not happened since the beginning of the championship.”

“They closed down very well, but in any case we knew they would and we have always said that these types of teams close down all areas.”

“If there isn’t any movement off the ball and you can’t finish properly, then of course you are going to have difficulties.”

“We started well in the second half and made better movements off the ball and created two or three chances to score.”

“If you’re able to take advantage from these situations, maybe the final result can change.”

“We suffered from their counter-attacks on corner kicks and free kicks. They managed to counter-attack and we were not able to keep the same rhythm.”

“They proved to have a better spirit than us. Maybe they wanted this performance much more than we did and I’m sorry for this, since I’m a member of this team and therefore the criticism should be addressed to me as well.”