Team news

Reja readying Lazio rookies Lazio coach Edy Reja has called up three youngsters for Thursday's Europa League last-32 first leg with Atletico Madrid to help cover a number of absentees.

Injuries have robbed the Serie A high-flyers of defender Stefan Radu, midfielders Christian Brocchi, Lorik Cana, Stefano Mauri and Emiliano Alfaro as well as strikers Libor Kozak and Tommaso Rocchi, the Lazio captain.

That has led Reja to include young trio Alessandro Berardi (20), Enrico Zampa (19) and Antonio Rozzi (17) in a 19-man squad for the game in Rome.

"It's not a good situation to have so many players missing," Reja said. "I thought I would face Atletico with a more adequate squad.

"But I have confidence that whoever plays can be relied upon.

"The Europa League is a prestigious competition and we want to go as far as possible." Lazio go into the clash at the Stadio Olimpico on the back of Sunday's 3-2 triumph over Cesena.

The Romans trailed 2-0 at half-time and were a man down shortly before the break but struck three times after the interval to record a superb win.

The result allowed Lazio to leapfrog Udinese into third place in the Serie A standings.

Reja nevertheless expects his players to be tested by a team coached by former Lazio star Diego Simeone.

Simeone, who played four seasons at Lazio, replaced Gregorio Manzano at the helm of the Spanish outfit on December 23.

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

"Simeone was a player with great character and personality and he is exactly the same as a coach," Reja said. "Atletico are doing really well and it's going to be a fascinating game.

"We will try to get the best result possible but we are aware that Atletico have not given away a goal in six games and that is credit to Simeone, who has given the team a lot of security at the back.

"The important thing for us is not to concede a goal." Atletico defenders Diego Godin and Joao Miranda return to the squad having missed last Saturday's goalless result at Racing Santander through injury and suspension, respectively.

However, midfielder Tiago and team captain Antonio Lopez are still out injured.

Looking ahead to the match, Atletico wing-back Filipe Luis said on his club's website: "We know it will be a tough game but the tie is 180 minutes. We are ready and have a good dynamic. The team is confident and know that a goal is important.

Lazio vs Atletico Madrid

Last modified 20:26 16/02/12

Falcao at the double in comeback win Falcao inspired Atletico Madrid to a 3-1 come-from-behind victory over Lazio in Rome to see the Spaniards take command of their Europa League last 32 tie.

Miroslav Klose put the home side ahead in the 19th minute before Falcao set up Adrian Lopez for the equaliser before the half-hour mark.

The Colombian forward then put the visitors ahead in the 37th minute.

Falcao added his second after the hour mark to hand Atletico coach Diego Simeone, a former Lazio player, a winning debut in the Europa League.

The result at the Stadio Olimpico has left Lazio with the difficult task of turning the tie around and having to score at least three times in Madrid next week.

Atletico started strongly and Falcao wasted a good chance in the opening minute when his eight-yard shot went over the crossbar.

Miranda got his head behind Diego's free-kick and his effort was saved by Lazio goalkeeper Federico Marchetti.

The Spaniards then conceded their first goal in seven games.

Atletico goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was unable to hold onto Antonio Candreva's hard drive from 30 yards and Klose got the tap-in.

Atletico's response did not take long in coming, though, and they equalised in the 25th minute.

Falcao nodded the ball down into the six-yard box and Lopez hooked it past Marchetti.

Atletico took a deserved lead before half-time when Diego got past his marker and crossed the ball to the far post for Falcao to strike past the helpless Marchetti.

Hernanes tried to bring the home side back level early in the second half with a neat 15-yard effort which was kept out by Courtois.

In the 55th minute, with Marchetti out of position, Koke struck a goalbound shot from 15 yards but Luciano Zauri made a vital clearance to deny Atletico's third of the evening.

On the hour mark, Klose headed Cristian Ledesma's free-kick just wide.

Lazio's hopes were dealt a blow in the 63rd minute when Falcao got behind Lopez's dangerous cross towards the far post and struck the ball past Marchetti.