Lazio coach Edy Reja believes that Saturday's Serie A clash with Napoli at the Stadio Olimpico is effectively a final for both sides.
Napoli hold Italy's third and final Champions League place, but Lazio are just three points ahead of their opponents, with whom they drew 0-0 earlier in the season.
As a result, Reja feels that it is impossible to overstate the importance of the encounter for the two teams.
"This is a final for both us and them," he told Lazio Style Radio.
"Our destiny will be largely decided on Saturday.
"However, we must also pay attention to Roma and Inter, who are both drawing closer."
Reja, a former Napoli coach, has fond memories of his time at the San Paolo.
"On the Partenopei bench, I reached Serie A for the first time, and then Europe," the well-travelled 66-year-old reminisced.
"But I have also taken great satisfaction out of the things that I have done here with Lazio."
Reja, who has twice offered to resign this season, spent four years in charge of Napoli between 2005 and 2009.
Napoli hold Italy's third and final Champions League place, but Lazio are just three points ahead of their opponents, with whom they drew 0-0 earlier in the season.
As a result, Reja feels that it is impossible to overstate the importance of the encounter for the two teams.
"This is a final for both us and them," he told Lazio Style Radio.
"Our destiny will be largely decided on Saturday.
"However, we must also pay attention to Roma and Inter, who are both drawing closer."
Reja, a former Napoli coach, has fond memories of his time at the San Paolo.
"On the Partenopei bench, I reached Serie A for the first time, and then Europe," the well-travelled 66-year-old reminisced.
"But I have also taken great satisfaction out of the things that I have done here with Lazio."
Reja, who has twice offered to resign this season, spent four years in charge of Napoli between 2005 and 2009.
