Lazio - Gala 1-0

[aca]

Lazio again underperformed...but at this point, the result is what counts.

Thanx to Stankovic's solo effort Lazio is back in the CL qualifying games. PSV drew with Nanntes, so if Lazio beats Nanntes away, no matter score between gala & PSV.....lazio is through..

As i said before, we are back in business.....

FORZA LAZIO!!

[aca]

This is the report from the game by Mattias, Laziomania.netLazio-Gala 1-0 Report Posted October 24, 2001 - 23:41 by Mattias

A second-half goal from Lazio substitute Dejan Stankovic gave the Italian side a 1-0 win over Turkey's Galatasaray Wednesday at the Olympic Stadium and kept hopes alive of what would be an improbable qualification for the second phase.

Yugoslav Stankovic, who had just entered for Stefano Fiore, found the Galatasaray net with a speculative shot just as the visitors from Istanbul looked to have neutralised the Italians who have now given themselves a lifeline with two consecutive wins after losing their first three matches.

Lazio made most of the early running with their Argentinian forward Claudio Lopez at the hub of their early play in this Group D match at the Olympic Stadium. Lopez, who reached the 2000 Champions League Final with Valencia only to lose to Real Madrid 3-0, was in fine form and defender Paolo Negro, in a rare venture forward, delayed too long when played in by the Argentinian.

And then Lopez just failed to get to his head from a cross by Stefano Fiore. But Lopez apart Lazio were failing to make much headway against a well-organised Galatasaray side who were controlling the game with their Colombian goalkeeper Farid Mondragon a virtual spectator.

Fiore and Spanish team-mate Gaizka Mendieta were failing to impose themselves against the Turks who were not scared to try their luck from distance with Ergun Penbe and Hasan Sas both narrowly missing the target. And after the half-hour mark Lazio had goalkeeper Angelo Peruzzi to thank for keeping them level when he made a fine save, first denying Bulent Akin and then falling at the feet of Andres Fleurquin.

At the interval Lazio coach Alberto Zaccheroni brought on Giuseppe Pancaro for Dutchman Jaap Stam who had been struggling with a foot injury. The 2000 UEFA Cup winners from Istanbul started the second half as they ended the first with the re-shapen Lazio defence working hard with Mendieta and Fiore being over-run in midfield.

Finally Zaccheroni decided changes were necessary and he brought on
Yugoslav Dejan Stankovic for Fiore. Galatasaray, who have prospered against Italian sides in recent seasons, were looking the more likely scorers and Giuseppe Favalli had to get in a vital interception as Hasan Sas centred the ball towards Umit Karan.Zaccheroni made his last throw of the dice as he introduced Simone Inzaghi for Lopez who had faded after his impressive opening burst.

But then when all was looking lost Lazio came up with a goal out of the blue. Stankovic was the man and he deserved all the credit, spotting Mondragon slightly out of position and firing from distance into the corner in the 75th minute. Inzaghi missed a chance to secure the points when he failed to direct his header after a fine cross by Stankovic but Lazio would not have cause to regret his miss.

The win put the Lazio fans in good heart as they savoured going into the last round of fixtures with their hopes still intact, something that looked unlikely when they lost their three opening Group D games.

[Drulic]

Thank God for this win, we really needed it and although we didn't play great the important thing is we got the full 3 points out of the game.

I must say I'm glad Deki scored the winning goal, it's been a long time since he last scored for Lazio and this year I think he's in good form, he's rated Lazio's best midfielder in a lot of newpapers and I've seen almost every game Lazio played this year and I have to say I'm impressed.

Now let's hope we beat Nantes and achieve a goal that seemed impossible only 2 games ago.

[Mihajloviç]

I'm glad Deki finally knocked one in after a long time
I am wondering why he was not given a chance until now by Zac...he was always in good form this season, while some players that Zac used were in absolutely poor shape.

FORZA LAZIO

[aca]

Deki wants to leave Lazio? Posted October 25, 2001 - 19:37 by Mattias

Lazio's goal-scoring hero in the Champions League, midfielder Dejan Stankovic, has warned he may quit the club at the end of the season.

Yugoslav international Stankovic said he was considering leaving the Italian Serie A team because he was "unhappy with his status".

However, Stankovic is confident Lazio can reach the second group stage of the Champions League.

Stankovic told Belgrade's B-92 radio after he scored the goal to beat Turkish team Galatasaray 1-0 on Wednesday: "We've won two in a row and I think we're in a good position to qualify.

"Getting through to the next group stage of the European Champions League would mean a whole lot to us."

Lazio, who are bottom of a very tight group D, lost their first three games before winning two in a row to move to six points, but they need another win at Nantes next week to get through.

The French champions lead the group with eight points from five matches, PSV Eindhoven and Galatasaray are tied on seven, ahead of Lazio.

Stankovic, who scored the winner against the Turks after coming on as a second-half substitute, said Lazio would have to be at their best to beat Nantes.

"It's a make-or-break match for us and we must perform at our best level to win. The Serie A derby against Roma on Saturday will be a good dress rehearsal," he said.

The midfielder said he was thinking about leaving the club at the end of the season because he was not entirely happy with his status.

"I've been here for four years and there's no improvement in my status. I thought the new coach would rotate more players but the starting line-up is always the same," he said.

"It was very obvious in the 3-1 home defeat to Nantes a few weeks ago that some players are very tired," he added.

Alberto Zaccheroni, who won the Italian league title with AC Milan in 1999, replaced Dino Zoff as Lazio's head coach last month after the team had made a bad start to both the domestic season and the Champions League.

[aca]

I cant believe that i'm saying this but i will...

If Deki really wants to go to the team that will give him a chance he deserves.....I am all for him leaving. I'm sick and tired of "big" teams benching talent as a support for their baby-spoiled-big-money stars. Deki has a future in football. If Lazio wont give him a chance, maybe he should do the right thing for himself and leave.

Forza Deki!!

......although I'll miss you badly!!