Lazio vs Juventus preview - Matri demands Juve victory

Posted Monday, May 02, 2011 by PA

Juventus striker Alessandro Matri has urged his team-mates to win at Lazio to trigger a late-season run and qualify for the Champions League.

Luigi Del Neri's men go into Monday's clash in seventh position in the standings, seven points behind Lazio, who hold the vital fourth spot.

"This is a crucial game for us," Matri said. "Of course we would have preferred to have gone into this match trailing Lazio by five points.

"But we must play with pride, focus and have the right motivation."

Juve will have to show a vast improvement to end Lazio's four-match winning run at the Stadio Olimpico.

The Bianconeri threw away a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 against Catania in the last round, a result which followed a goalless draw at Fiorentina.

"We have to forget about the past and focus on the present," said Matri, who will partner Alessandro Del Piero in Juve's attack.

"There are just four games left to play and anything can happen, that is why we must give our all in our remaining games, starting at Lazio."

Juve won 2-1 when the pair met in Turin in December and Matri is hoping for a similar result this time around.

"We played well against them last year and we beat them with a convincing performance," he said. "We have to show the same hunger in Rome."

Lazio will be under pressure to claim a win with Udinese just one point behind them in the standings.

Udinese travel to Fiorentina on Sunday before hosting Lazio at the Friuli stadium next weekend.

"We cannot show any fear on Monday night," Lazio coach Edy Reja said. "We have to believe we can win and give our best.

"To play in the Champions League next season is our main aim and we cannot let it go."

Reja has midfielder Francelino Matuzalem, who missed last weekend's 2-1 defeat at Inter Milan through suspension, available again.

However, Lazio playmaker Stefano Mauri serves a one-match ban.

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