Lazio defender Stefan Radu discussed the Biancocelesti’s upcoming Champions League clash against Russian side Zenit St. Petersburg in an interview with Italian broadcaster Lazio Style Radio earlier today.
It’s a shame to play this competition in an empty stadium, but we have to adapt to the new rules. We have worked so hard to play in the Champions League, we dreamed of it and got it.
We have been fighting to play these matches for a long time.
The 34-year-old Romanian centre back, who has been with the Roman club since 2008, then commented on how it feels for him to make his Champions League debut.
For me, it is a unique emotion to be in the Champions League; I have never experienced these emotions.
The coach has made us prepare for the game in the best possible way, we hope that tonight we will be able to put on the pitch all that we have prepared, but above all we are trying to win.
The 34-year-old Radu will be starting tonight’s game against Zenit on the bench, but is likely to make an appearance in the second half, after returning from a painful hamstring injury.
The first meeting between Lazio and Zenit was earlier this month, with the game ending in a 1-1 draw.
A win against the Russian side tonight would put the Biancocelesti on eight points in the group, potentially leaving them top of the table depending on the result of Borussia Dortmund’s clash with Club Brugge.
Simone Inzaghi’s side have not lost a game in the competition so far this season despite struggling with injuries and positive Covid-19 cases, showing the squad’s strength in Europe currently.
