Canzi: Lazio will be tough, but we're ready

Fresh off the back of a memorable and impressive first-leg win over Paris Saint-Germain in Women’s Champions League qualification, the Women’s First Team are again in action this Saturday away at top-flight newcomers, Lazio.

Ahead of the fixture, which kicks off at 15:00 CEST in Rome, Coach Massimiliano Canzi gave his pre-match thoughts.

THE WOMEN’S CHAMPIONS LEAGUE WIN

“There was a different atmosphere from the norm, and we also knew that we couldn’t afford to make any mistakes, because at that level there’s a price to pay when you do. To win like that, having started as underdogs, makes the satisfaction even greater.

“Beyond the result, I take even more from the way the girls played. I asked them to play as a team, to defend and attack compactly, and I couldn’t be happier with what they did, but of course we know it’s only half time in the tie.

“We played very well, but now we await the second leg. Of course winning helps, and now we turn our attention to the league and this tricky game.”

PREPARING FOR LAZIO

“We’ve tried to recover our energy and then start preparing for Lazio, the turnaround time is very short and it’s not easy, but we have our ways of attacking and defending that helps. We’ve analysed the opponents thoroughly and we’re ready - we feel prepared for the game.”

ON LAZIO

“It would be reductive to just call them a newly-promoted side. They’ve changed a lot but have kept that same structure that got them up, so they have that advantage especially with having the same coach as last season. They’ve signed Serie A players, above all [Martina] Piemonte who plays for the Italian National Team and having been in a top league [England’s WSL]. They have individual talent but they’re an organised side too with an experience coach in Gianluca Grassadonia. They’re a tough side, and we’ll have to be at our best if we want to win.

“I always like to focus on what we should do as opposed to what we shouldn’t do. We have to face Lazio as if it’s our biggest game of the season. For now, our whole world is taking on Lazio. We will go there to win, knowing the kind of team we’ll come up against.

“As always, the right level of performance needs to be there. For us, right now, tomorrow’s match is the most important match there is.”