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Rossi keeps Champions League faith Tuesday 14 August, 2007

Delio Rossi believes Lazio still have a 50 per cent chance of reaching the Champions League after their disastrous first leg draw.

“Far too much happened tonight, between injuries all in the same area of the squad and unlucky moments, but the team played well,” said the Coach.

The 1-1 result at the Stadio Olimpico means his men must go for the win away to Dinamo Bucharest on August 28, but will be without Massimo Mutarelli and Valon Behrami following their dismissals.

Edmilson Sanchez Cribari is also a major doubt, as he went off during the first half with a suspected fractured cheekbone after a clash of heads. He has been taken to hospital for X-Rays.

“We were very unfortunate, as all Dinamo did was defend and that was it. I must thank my players, as they understood immediately how important their efforts were. But the story isn’t over yet and we are still at 50-50 for qualification.”

Lazio certainly shot themselves in the foot, especially when Tommaso Rocchi saw his first half penalty saved by former Fiorentina goalkeeper Bogdan Lobont.

“It seemed like a voluntary handling offence to me, which would make it a red card, and I thought there was another penalty in the second half. In any case, it’s difficult to tell for sure from the bench,” said Rossi.

The Biancocelesti also lost Guglielmo Stendardo and Stefano Mauri to injury before ending the game with nine men.

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