Lazio manager Vladimir Petkovic believes that his side were deserved winners against Atalanta BC this afternoon.

The victory sees Aquile close the gap on leaders Juventus to three points, but Petkovic warned his players that they must still improve if they are to challenge the Bianconeri.

"In the first half we played badly, as more or less everything was lacking," Football Italia quotes Petkovic as saying.

"After the break, we raised the tempo and quality, so deservedly won the game.

"If we are to aspire to something more this season, then we must learn to be more consistent throughout the game."

There was some debate regarding Lazio's first goal, as Sergio Floccari appeared to bundle the ball over the line with his arm.

However, Petkovic has jumped to the defence of the 31-year-old, insisting that it was not his intention to cheat.

"Floccari? We would not have complained if the referee had awarded a free kick for the handball," he added. "But the touch was an involuntary ricochet and that was the decision he made."

Lazio make the trip to face Palermo next Saturday.