Sarri: "Pedro Is A Phenomenal Player And When He Puts In His Best Form Like In This Match, He Can Change Everything."

Coach Maurizio Sarri praised Pedro Rodriguez's game when Lazio beat Lokomotiv Moscow on matchday 5 of Group E of the Europa League. The former Barcelona striker made the difference when he came off the bench.

Pedro replaced Felipe Anderson in the 46th minute. The Biancoceleste had difficulties in the first half and were unable to break the deadlock until halftime.

When Pedro came in, the game changed. The attack scheme built up seemed more convincing since he entered. The attack made it difficult for the home team's defense to commit two fatal violations which caused the visitors to get two penalties.

What made Sarri even more impressed, Pedro also managed to score a goal in that match. The former Chelsea striker listed his name on the scoreboard in the 87th minute. He made a shot from outside the penalty box after using a loose ball from a corner kick scheme.

Maurizio Sarri told Sky Sport Italia post-match, "Pedro is a phenomenal player and when he puts in his best form like in this match, he can change everything. In the end, quality makes the difference."

The former Napoli and Juventus boss is generally known as a coach who does not like to rotate the squad but featured Ciro Immobile in this must-win game after the Italian forward returned from a calf injury.

"We would normally rest him, but we made five changes from Saturday and have a very competitive line-up.  It may be a decisive match in a very difficult group."  

"We have qualified, now we will see if we can secure direct access to the last 16."

Indeed, only the group winners in the Europa League are entitled to qualify for the round of 16 directly, because the runners-up must enter the play-off round to get a ticket to the round.  Lazio will take on Galatasaray in the last game to fight for the top of their Group E standings.