Boro can rise to Lazio challenge

MIDDLESBROUGH manager Steve McClaren believes his side can tonight make a mockery of Lazio’s tag as UEFA Cup favourites.

In terms of European pedigree, the two clubs are poles apart this is Middlesbrough's debut European campaign while Lazio are previous tournament winners and have Champions League experience in recent seasons.

Yet McClaren feels, such is the progress Middlesbrough have made, his players expect to emerge triumphant from the second of their four Group E games as they seek a place in the last 32 of the UEFA Cup.

McClaren's side are currently riding high in the Premiership and go into the match at the Riverside on the back of a seven-game unbeaten run in all competitions, while they have conceded just eight goals in their last 13 matches.

Lazio are by no means the giants they once were, the Italian side are mid-table in Serie A with three wins, three draws and three defeats from their opening nine matches although they are tight defensively.

But expectations are high on Teesside and McClaren said: "This is the kind of game we've been looking forward to since winning the Carling Cup and the players can't wait for it."

McClaren is without a number of key players through injury, notably former Lazio star Gaizka Mendieta. Ugo Ehiogu, Szilard Nemeth, Michael Reiziger, Stuart Parnaby and Malcolm Christie are also on the sidelines.

Lazio could be forced to field third-choice goalkeeper Fabrizio Casazza as first-choice Angelo Peruzzi has been out injured for three weeks, while Matteo Sereni injured a knee in Saturday's 1-1 draw at Inter.