Lazio manager Stefano Pioli criticized his players despite picking up a 3-2 victory over nine-man Saint Etienne at The Olimpico.
He said in his post-match press conference: “We did not start well, but we reacted brilliantly to go 3-1 up.
“When against nine men, we didn’t know what to do, unsure whether to attack and get a fourth goal or defend the result. We should’ve shown more determination in going for another goal.
“That drop in concentration levels should not happen, we need to control situations like this better.”
The French side went in front inside six minute when Moustapha Sall bundled home from a corner. But Pioli’s men reacted well with Oganyi Onazi volleying home midway through the first half. Saint Etienne striker Robert Beric was given his marching orders as the sides approached half time, after he elbowed Brazilian defender Mauricio, but perhaps was unfortunate to see red.
Defender Wesley Hoedt put Lazio 2-1 up just after the halftime break with a deft flick, before Saint Etienne goalscorer Sall was sent off after a second yellow card.
Then just three minutes later, Lucas Biglia sealed the win when his deflected shot beat Stephane Ruffier in goal ten minutes from time. But there was still time for the nine men of Saint Etienne to pull one back through Kevin Monnet-Paquet, who showed strength to win the ball in the air and then coolly lob Etrit Berisha in goal.
The Biancolesti coach then went on to talk about his European ambitions: “I am happy to be in Europe, although the Champions League play-off defeat to Bayer Leverkusen was hard to swallow.
“We are not the favourites to win the Europa League, but we want to prove we are competitive on three fronts.”
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