As featured on NewsNow: Football news

Lazio boss Reja blames ref for derby defeat

Lazio boss Edy Reja blamed the match officials for their derby defeat to AS Roma.

Lazio fell 2-0 to a couple of Roma penalties, but felt they deserved one of their own when Stefano Mauri was hauled down by John Arne Riise. At the time it was still 1-0.

"This derby was decided by the referee's decisions. I'm sorry to say it, but that's the truth," Coach Reja told Sky Sport Italia.

"The penalty on Mauri was crystal clear. You could see it straight away from the bench and we all knew it. Was Andre Dias offside? Yes, but the linesman didn't flag it, so play continued and therefore it should've been a penalty."

Reja also had doubts about the second Roma spot-kick scored by Mirko Vucinic.

"In the build-up to that incident, Julio Baptista had fouled Guglielmo Stendardo and the referee was in a position to see it. My players were telling me they'd had enough of playing with 11 against 12.

"In the first half we didn't have the right sporting aggression and we got the wrong approach, as we were too timid. It takes intensity in a derby match. Then we have to say Roma didn't have that many chances to go in front.

"After the break we played better, even if the Roma opener was a gift from our error. Let's say this game was decided by two penalties and we played well."

 Click here for the best AS Roma coverage on the 'net. All your Giallorossi news and gossip in one spot.

Video of the day:

About the author

Tribal Football Staff

×

Subscribe and go ad-free

For only $10 a year

  1. Go Ad-Free
  2. Faster site experience
  3. Support great writing
  4. Subscribe now
Launch Offer: 2 months free
×

Subscribe and go ad-free

For only $10 a year

Subscribe now
Launch Offer: 2 months free