BOLO Zenden is not worried about taking on Italian giants Lazio tonight, because he thinks Middlesbrough overcame a tougher test two weeks ago.

Boro made the perfect start to their UEFA Cup group stage campaign when their injury-ravaged side beat Greek minnows Aigaleo in Athens.

The 1-0 success was earned through a combination of patience and persistence, with Stewart Downing's 78th-minute winner finally breaching Aigaleo's dogged defence.

In footballing terms, Lazio are on a different level but, on home soil, Zenden insists Middlesbrough have nothing to fear from their illustrious opponents.

"It's going to be a hard game," said the Dutch international, whose second-half strike earned Boro a 2-1 win at Charlton last weekend.

"But I think the game we played out in Aigaleo might have been even more difficult.

"Lazio will provide a tough test but the first game you play is always particularly hard because you're desperate to get off to a good result.

"Aigaleo were really determined to make things hard for us. The atmosphere wasn't the best, the pitch wasn't the best, the stadium wasn't the best - everything was against us on that night.

"But we came through all of that and it was important to get the win out in Greece."

Last month's success has opened up a two-point gap at the top of Group E and, with three teams qualifying from the group phase, a further win against Lazio would all but ensure Boro's place in the last 32.

The Teessiders were European novices less than two months ago but, by tonight they could have beaten one of Europe's biggest names and have one foot in the UEFA Cup's knock-out stage.

"I'm not saying the pressure's off because it isn't," said Zenden. "But we've already got three points and, in a group of five, if you get six or seven points you're through.

"We know that if we win against Lazio and get to six points, it will be a major step towards the next round. I think we're capable of doing that and it would be great to be just about through when we travel to Villareal."

With former Lazio star Gaizka Mendieta facing a long-term lay-off, Zenden is set to resume his midfield partnership with fellow Dutchman George Boateng.

The duo combined to great effect at the weekend and, with Downing continuing to impress on the left flank, Boro's midfield should pose plenty of problems for the Lazio defence tonight.

"Stewart's been playing really well this season," said Zenden.

"We created chances against Charlton and if we continue to line up like that, I'm sure we'll create chances again."

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