PARMA

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Lazio will be put to the test in Sunday's home clash with a motivated Parma side that will be hoping for further success following their qualification to the last 16 of the UEFA Cup.

However, the European competition is not a priority for the Gialloblu outfit, who are fourth from bottom in Serie A and still have question marks hanging over their future in the top flight.

``Playing in Europe is important for us although it's true that the Serie A remains our main priority,'' said young striker Alberto Gilardino, who has netted 13 league goals for Parma.

But Thursday's 2-0 triumph in extra time at Stuttgart proved that youth and inexperience may not be such a bad combination after all.

It was all the more impressive considering that Parma played with 10 men for the extra 30 minutes of play yet still managed to net two goals.

``My players used their head and gave their hearts to get the victory,'' said a proud coach Pietro Carmignani. I hope this victory will further motivate us for our games in Serie A.''

Carmignani had originally planned to rest his top players against Stuttgart in view of Sunday's important game against Lazio.

``That was the idea,'' confirmed Carmignani. ``But when I looked at my players and how determined they were to play and win, I couldn't go through with it.''

The veteran coach is hoping that his team will not pay the price now as they prepare for their third game in a week.

``It's been a hard week but I think victories help my players forget about fatigue,'' said Carmignani, who cannot be anything other than satisfied with the results of the last seven days.

Last weekend's 2-1 win against struggling Brescia allowed the Gialloblu to climb out of the relegation zone, but with just one point separating them from the bottom three positions, there is no room for errors.

``We must continue with our positive run and try to get a result at the Olimpico,'' added Gilardino.

However, it will not be an easy task against a rested Lazio side, who appear to have left their troubles behind following back-to-back wins against Atalanta and Chievo, which have moved the club up to 13th position, five points clear of the drop zone.

``Our last victories have allowed us to take a breather,'' said Lazio midfielder Luciano Zauri. But we must continue to win in order to avoid relegation, although against Parma it's going to be a battle.''

The good news for Lazio is that the visitors will be without suspended striker Domenico Morfeo, a key player in Carmignani's formation. He will be replaced by Simone Vignaroli.

``Morfeo's absence is certainly a relief,'' admitted Zauri.

Lazio boss Giuseppe Papadopulo is set to play Giuliano Giannichedda in defence in place of the suspended Fernando Couto, while goalkeeper Matteo Sereni will step in for the injured Angelo Peruzzi.

One of the most interesting matches of the weekend will take place at the Olimpico of Rome: a direct relegation battle between two fallen giants. The Biancocelesti managed to win two games in a row and will therefore be all motivated for this match. Same story for Parma who after a hard-fought battle at Stuttgart managed to win and qualify impressively. However, fatigue might play an important role as the Gialloblu players will be more tired than the Lazio ones. In fact a ten-man Parma had to play extra time on a pitch in terrible conditions, something which the players might suffer from during the Olimpico game.
 

Recommendation:	LAZIO @  10/11 with BLUESQ
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