Preview: Lazio looking to start European journey with a bang
After getting off to a very solid start in the Italian Serie A, Lazio will be looking to make a strong impression in the opening day of this season’s edition of the UEFA Europa League where they take on Legia Warsaw.
Despite a 4-1 defeat at the hands of Juventus this season, Lazio have made a very good start to the domestic campaign and have already shown that they will be competing for a place in the Champions League this time around.
For now however, focus would be on the game against Warsaw, who striker Sergio Floccari feels is a very dangerous group of individuals.
"Our fans are already thinking about the derby [against Roma],'' Floccari said according to ESPN.
"But we want to do well on Thursday in order to go into Sunday's game in buoyant mood.
"We know that we will face a team that has a winning mentality considering they have won the Polish title for three years in a row," he added about his opponents. "Legia have nothing to lose and we will have to be careful."
After missing out on a place in the Champions League, Warsaw managed to seal a place in the final playoff round for the UCL at the expense of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Molde. However, a matchup against Steaua Bucharest proved to be too tough a barrier to jump over.
In a group that contains the likes of Turkish side Trabzonspor and Cyprus giants Apollon Limassol, both sides competing in the Italian capital tonight, would be seeing themselves as favourites to seal progression. However, with the way Europa League has been turning out these past few seasons, it would be a folly to rule out the chances of the so called underdogs or whipping boys of Group J.
Lazio on the other hand, know that they have to do well in Europe to prove their credentials as the next up and coming side in Italy. Last season’s Coppa Italia success is starting to be taken as just the start of something new at the Stadio Olimpico. Aquile are now becoming a more stable side under Vladimir Petkovic who would be eager to go the distance in their European journey regardless of the domestic responsibilities that have amounted in number following last season’s disappointing seventh placed finish.
The extremely talented Brazilian star Hernanes is one of the classiest midfielder’s in Italy. The Brazilian is one of those players who automatically increase a team’s creativity. Despite criticism in his early days, the 28 year old has come out strongly and become a player vital to his team’s chances of bringing glory to the Italian capital on a more regular basis.
He will evidently be Lazio’s man to watch out for and Warszawa will do themselves a favour by limiting his creativity by as much as possible.
Where to watch the match – live stream, start time, TV channels, Live Scores
Watch Lazio v Legia Warsaw live on Thursday, September 19, 2013:
In Canada at 15:05 EDT on Sportsnet World Online, Sportsnet World
In UK at 20:05 BST on ESPN UK / HD
In USA at 15:05 ET on Fox Sports 2, Fox Soccer 2Go
Fans in other parts of the world can watch the match live on their local channels. Those in Australia can watch the match live on Setanta Sports Plus Australia.
For complete details of match listings and live scores, visit the Lazio v Legia Warsaw match page.
