Lazio coach Davide Ballardini hailed Mauro Zarate after defeating Elfsborg 3-0 in the Europa League.

He said: "(Julio) Cruz is a crucial player for us because of his work rate and strength in the air, but he is not yet 100 per cent fit.

"I have nothing more to say about Zarate, it's obvious he should continue the kind of performance he put in against Elfsborg. He will certainly become one of the greatest players in the world."