Fenerbahce eye first European semi-final

Italy's Lazio will host Turkey's Fenerbahce in the second leg of quarter-final of UEFA Europa League in Rome on Thursday. The game at the Stadio Olimpico will kick-off at 10:05 Turkish local time. Pavel Kralovec of the Czech Republic will be the referee of the game which will be played behind closed doors. On April 4, Fenerbahce defeated Lazio 2-0 in the first leg game in Istanbul at Sukru Saracoglu Stadium, gaining a big advantage for the semi-finals. If Fenerbahce reach the next round, it will be their first ever semi-final in European cups. Fenerbahce coach Aykut Kocaman told a press conference in Rome, "I think Fenerbahce have a slight advantage thanks to the 2-0 result in the first leg. We are going to play against an Italian team, who are traditionally strong at their home ground. I hope Fenerbahce would be the side to reach the semi-finals." Lazio coach Vladimir Petkovic said he hoped his team would battle back to overturn 2-0 deficit against Fenerbahce. "Only after 180 minutes we will have a definitive verdict about which side is better," he said. Source: Anadolu Agency