Lazio president Claudio Lotito did not hide his anger following Sunday evening's 3-1 defeat to AC Milan when he gathered the team in training and branded them a "disgrace."
The loss was the Biancocelesti's second in a row and third in their past four matches, and leaves them seventh in the Serie A table.
Ahead of Sunday's derby against Roma -- who sit five points above Lazio -- Lotito is desperate to see his side fare better.
As a result, the Lazio chief took the unusual step of interrupting Monday's team training session and giving his club's players a piece of his mind.
"It's a disgrace," he is quoted as saying by La Repubblica. "I was not at all happy with your attitude yesterday. You've got the quality -- each one of you has quality. What you don't appear to understand, however, is that you don't win as individuals, but as a team.
"You needed to sacrifice yourselves for each other and help your teammates. Remember, at all times, that it doesn't matter what's written on the back of your shirt, but the symbol you can see on the front of it.
"I demand that this attitude changes immediately. You've got to show that you've got balls. Take the example of smaller clubs who we've faced and knew how to do it, showing they've got balls and everything. You failed to do that."
After facing Roma, Lazio host Palermo and travel to Empoli, before welcoming Juventus to the Stadio Olimpico -- but before then they have a Europa League trip to Rosenborg on Thursday.
"The Europa League is important, and a win at Rosenborg could take us through, but our priority remains the derby," Lazio coach Stefano Pioli told reporters.