Reja: “A great clash against Juve”

Lazio manager Edy Reja will tomorrow celebrate his hundredth game in the Biancocelesti dugout. Despite travelling to Turin without two important players, the experienced coach believes his side is capable of grinding out another significant result following last weekend’s 3-1 home victory over Napoli. The 66-year-old said: “It will be a fantastic game against a team enjoying an extraordinary run of form. The fixture will be difficult for us, also due to the fact that Radu and Konko are out. Yet we have important components possessing both quality and personality.” Reja then reserved special praise for the work done by Conte throughout his tenure in the Bianconeri hot seat. “Antonio has given a particular mentality to his team, he’s changed philosophy and brought in new players. They’re Coppa Italia finalists and top of the league. Looking at the fixture list, I think they’ll stay there right until the end. I must congratulate Conte, he’s done an extraordinary job.” The Gorizia-born manager concluded his pre-match press conference by expressing a desire for better luck in Wednesday’s encounter. “Last year saw us lose in the last second, while this year we didn’t deserve to lose considering how we played. I hope this time the fortune goes in our favour.”