Stevens happy with Lazio start

Posted Thursday, September 17, 2009 by PA

Red Bull Salzburg coach Huub Stevens is delighted to be kicking off their Europa League campaign at Lazio and insists his side have nothing to lose.

Stevens knows Salzburg, who lost 5-1 on aggregate to Maccabi Haifa in the Champions League play-offs. are realistically unlikely to qualify from a tough Group G, which includes Levski Sofia and Villarreal as well as Lazio.

And he believes the Austrian champions should simply make the most of their European adventure.

"It is a very difficult group," said Stevens. "But at the same time it is also a very attractive one.

"We know that we are outsiders in this group that, apart from Lazio, contains also Villarreal and Levski Sofia, but we have nothing to lose.

"What could possibly be more wonderful than to start an adventure of this sort facing a team from the country who are world champions?

"We are counting on starting with the right foot, even if we well know of the good start to the campaign Ballardini's team have had."

Lazio have been making the headlines off the pitch with the club currently embroiled in an ongoing dispute with the Italian Footballers' Association over their treatment towards their players.

And coach David Ballardini is eager to put that all to one side and concentrate on Thursday's match.

"We have to daily try to find again the sense of belonging and the spirit of the group," he said. "By that I mean the pleasure of everyone's involvement, of being part of a great club.

"Those are fundamental elements to get good results."

He added: "We know quite a lot about tomorrow's opponents, Salzburg, after having seen their league and cup matches.

"The owners are the same as Red Bull's so they are a very rich club.

"They have ambitions and great players and therefore it is a good squad.

"It is important to start the round well so we will look to perform in the best possible way. Then we will take it game by game."

Lazio will be boosted by the return of star player Mauro Zarate but strike partner Tommaso Rocchi is still out as are Fabio Firmani, Stephen Makinwa, Cristian Brocchi, and Lionel Scaloni while Matuzalem and Stephan Lichtsteiner are major doubts.