Lazio head coach Edy Reja criticised Felipe Anderson after his team’s 1-0 defeat to Bulgarian outfit Ludogorets in the Europa League.
The Brazilian midfielder missed a spot kick in the second half with his team trailing and it proved to be crucial as the Italians failed to make up for his miss.
After the game, Reja said he felt Anderson was “swept up in the enthusiasm”. Football Italia quoted the Lazio head coach who said: “Before each game I write down two penalty takers, which in this case was Lucas Biglia and Miroslav Klose.
“I called Biglia over and asked what happened. It seems Anderson earned the penalty and was swept up in the enthusiasm of the moment, so took the ball.
“He didn’t have the cool head needed in this situation. Biglia should’ve stopped him, but these things do happen and penalties can be missed.”
It proved costly for Lazio and these comments from Reja come just days after the head coach said he expected the Brazilian to play with his personality against Ludogorets.
Anderson will hope Reja’s patience with him doesn’t run out and the pair will hope the Brazilian comes good when he is next afforded an opportunity.
