Lazio coach Reja admits player confidence could decide relegation battle

Lazio coach Edy Reja knows confidence will be a factor in their battle against the drop.

The Rome club sit 17th in Serie A and have only won once since Reja replaced Davide Ballardini.

He said: “I thought we could play for an hour, or at least for the entire first half at the same rhythm with which we started the game.

“Before Floccari's goal, we created another two clear chances with Stendardo and Rocchi. But then the team came to a standstill, the defence got shy, we retreated too much and lost any aggression.

“There could also have been some physical difficulties, but I believe it's much more of a psychological problem. There is fear. There is a lack of conviction.

“We need to insist, believe in ourselves and run more. I remember last year's Lazio playing at a high tempo.”