Lazio coach Stefano Pioli says his players still have much to do in the return leg after his side held Sparta Prague to a 1-1 draw at the Generali Arena in the last 16 of the Europa League.
Marco Parolo struck a decisive away goal shortly before the interval as the Aquile remain poised to book their place in the last eight of the competition.
“We started the game well, we had two good chances, then they scored and we began to open up more,” he told Sky Sport Italia after the game.
“One of the positives was the reaction we had, from the character of the team.
“Now we think about the second leg, which will once again be very balanced.”
Play was halted by the referee after racist chants were heard emanating from the travelling Lazio support, reportedly directed at Sparta defender Costa Nhamoinesu.
“Their player Costa lamented the chants from our fans,” Pioli added.
“But I honestly did not hear anything, because I was focused on the match.”
Source: forzaitalianfootball.com