LAZIO PLAYERS HAPPIER UNDER ZOFF

Eriksson quit his job as Lazio boss earlier this month, after a string of poor results in Serie A, and took up his post as the new England national team coach, leaving Zoff free to take over at the Roman club.

And since then, Lazio have won three games on the trot, with £37 million striker Hernan Crespo grabbing five goals, and he is one of a trio of players who have said they are happier working under their new coach.

"Everything is easier and everyone has found important relaxation and self belief," said the former Parma striker.

Crespo's strike partner, Marcelo Salas (pictured) often found himself warming the substitute's bench under Eriksson, but he has re-found his scoring touch under Zoff, and he couldn't be happier.

"Now I score, now I win, but most of all I play," said the 26-year-old Chilean international. "Everything has changed since Eriksson has left and we're much more relaxed. This is completely down to Zoff.

"Everything's easier for the players on the training pitch and in games. Zoff is very clever.

"He has asked us to do certain things on the training pitch which are completely different to that which Eriksson wanted and we've put them into practice in games."

Czech Republic international Pavel Nedved has backed up the comments of his team-mates, adding: "I dedicate my goal against Fiorentina to Zoff. I owe a lot to him. It was only thanks to him that I'm still here. He was always the one that insisted I wasn't sold."