Team news

Matuzalem optimistic of Lazio progress Lazio midfielder Francelino Matuzalem insists his side remain in the hunt to reach the last 16 of the Europa League despite needing to overturn an imposing first-leg deficit against Atletico Madrid.

The Italians lost 3-1 at home to Atletico last week and travel to the Vicente Calderon needing to score at least three goals to progress.

"I'm convinced that it's not impossible to overturn the tie," Matuzalem said. "It will not be easy because Atletico have shown what they can do.

"There's no doubt Atletico are a great side but we will go all out determined to get the result we need.

"We have quality players that can help us to achieve that feat." Lazio have not won away from home in Europe this season and Thursday's task will be all the more challenging considering their injury crisis continues.

The Romans are without strikers Miroslav Klose and Tommaso Rocchi with the former out with a back problem and the latter sidelined with a muscular problem.

Lazio coach Edy Reja will have to rely on Libor Kozak and 17-year-old Antonio Rozzi to deliver in front of goal against Atletico.

Rozzi is among five youngsters included in Reja's travelling party.

The only consolation for Reja is that pivotal midfielder Stefano Mauri returns to play after a long injury absence.

Lazio go into the encounter on the back of Sunday's 5-1 defeat at Palermo that dropped them to fourth in Serie A.

Atletico have yet to lose under coach Diego Simeone and are riding a seven-match unbeaten run that has seen them climb to sixth in the Primera Division.

However, Atletico striker Falcao, who scored twice in the first leg, has warned his team-mates not to take Lazio lightly.

"We've only played one leg and the tie it's not over," he said. "Lazio are a dangerous side and we cannot be over-confident.

"We must show the same attitude we displayed in Rome and hand a good performance in front of our crowd." Atletico will be without creative midfielder Diego, who sustained a muscle tear during Sunday's 1-1 draw against Sporting Gijon.

Atletico Madrid vs Lazio

Last modified 22:27 23/02/12

Godin ensures Atletico go through Atletico Madrid cruised through to the last-16 of the Europa League with a comfortable 4-1 aggregate victory over Lazio, with Diego Godin's second-half header giving the Spanish side a 1-0 win on the night.

Eduardo Salvio had the best efforts of a uneventful first-half, the Argentinian forcing Albano Bizzarri into a smart save before striking the post with a rasping drive from a narrow angle.

Godin put Atleti in front on the night just after the break and only another fine save from Bizaarri and some last ditch defending denied Gabi and Salvio extending the lead.

With a 3-1 lead from the first-leg Diego Simeone could afford to have one eye on the visit of Barcelona on Sunday as he gave a rest to top-scorer Radamel Falcao.

However Salvio looked keen to make the most of his opportunity and he nearly provided the opening goal as he ran onto a ball over the top and his shot was just turned round the post by Bizzarri.

Minutes later as he came even closer as he raced onto Adrian Lopez's pass but this time saw his effort come back off the post.

Adrian was next to threaten as he controlled Luis Perea's cross inside the area but shot straight at Bizzarri.

The hosts did break the deadlock two minutes after the break though as poor marking allowed Godin to head in Gabi's corner.

Gabi himself nearly made it two moments later but he was denied by another brilliant save from Bizzarri before Salvio's goal bound was deflected inches wide on 57 minutes.

Matuzalem finally forced Thibaut Courtois into his first serious save of the night with a long range volley that the Belgian keeper turned behind 15 minutes from time but the Italians offered little else as Atleti comfortably saw out the final few minutes to secure their place in the next round.