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Mutarelli eyes Dinamo danger Sunday 12 August, 2007

Lazio are just days away from their Champions League clash with Dinamo Bucharest, but Massimo Mutarelli sees the trip to Romania as the decider.

“This will be the last game of last season rather than the first of the new term,” insisted the midfielder.

“We cannot wait to face this team, even if the chances of qualifying are 50/50. We have been preparing for the match in the best way possible, although the toughest test will be in the second leg.”

The opener is at the Stadio Olimpico on August 14 and the decider in Bucharest on August 28.

“These are difficult arenas to go and get a result in, but Lazio will always play for the win against any and every opponent.

“We are studying Dinamo. They have the advantage that their season has already started, but we hope to bridge that gap with our superior quality and experience. We have to be careful not to concede on home turf so we can really go for it away.”

The Biancocelesti have done well in pre-season friendlies, but stuttered in the Amsterdam Cup last week.

“Our match fitness is improving,” continued Mutarelli. “We know that we’ll face a long hard season after this, but have always made the most of our team ethic and that is why we can measure up to sides with greater individual skills.

Lazio also realise this is a very different situation to last term, when clubs like Milan and Fiorentina were held back by Calciopoli penalties.

“We are fully aware that if we had all started from scratch, we would never have reached the Champions League. This season we must do our best to live up to that performance, though.”

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