Keita Balde Diao hails "important victory"

Lazio forward Keita Balde Diao has said that it was "very important" his side were able to claim a victory over Bayer Leverkusen in the first leg of their Champions League playoff tie.

The 20-year-old struck a late goal as the Italian club earned a 1-0 win at the Stadio Olimpico.

"It is a very important victory and we'd been waiting a long time for this," Diao told Sport Mediaset.

"The whole year of work was leading up to this, but it's not over and we must show determination to get the qualification.

"It was important above all for the fans who come here and give us their support. We want to win for us and for the people."

The two teams will meet in the second leg at the BayArena next Wednesday.