ROME - Angry Lazio fans barracked and hurled eggs at coach Delio Rossi and his players during training on Monday after another Serie A defeat at the weekend.
A 1-0 home loss to struggling Cagliari meant the Romans dropped to 13th in the table, just four points clear of the relegation zone, and supporters have become increasinly disenchanted with the team's dismal performances, which have earned just two wins this year.
The Biancoceleste will be hoping victory against Reggina on Wednesday will prevent a repeat of those humiliating scenes.
Rossi, who guided the Biancoceleste to a third-place finish in Serie A last season, believes the fans' frustration is understandable but has asked them to stick with the team through a difficult patch.
"I am also very bitter about the results but I ask those fans not to take it out on the team and just take it out on me," he said.
The Biancoceleste's main problem has been lack of goalscoring, particularly when playing away from home. They have failed to score in their last three games.
Striker Tommaso Rocchi, who recently extended his contract with the club until 2013, knows things must change.
"I'm sad by what is happening," he said. "Not only because the results are not going our way but because of the fans' reaction as well.
"We must try to get our campaign back on track, starting on Wednesday."
The midweek encounter is a must-win for the Biancoceleste considering daunting clashes with high-fliers AC Milan, Roma, Fiorentina and Internazionale await them in the next month.
Reggina go into the encounter at the Stadio Olimpico in a buoyant mood after their 2-1 triumph against Juventus.
A last-gasp penalty by Nicola Amoruso handed the Amaranto three vital points in their battle to avoid relegation.
Reggina coach Renzo Ulivieri was relieved his side clinched their second win of the year to halt a run of four consecutive defeats.
"We have had to suffer a lot to get this victory," he said. "But it's a win that makes up for the many disappointments we have endured recently."
Ulivieri's men still have a lot of work to do as they are second-bottom in the standings.
The Southerners go into the clash in the capital one point clear of Siena, who hold the last safety spot
Reggina will have to overcome the absence of top scorer Amoruso, who serves a one-match man, and defender Maurizio Lanzaro is also suspended.
Lazio will be without suspended midfielder Valon Behrami.
