Official 07/08 Serie A thread.

[NB-MVP]

I hope Muslimovic gets another chance. I'm almost sure he'll assist/score in the next game if the coach gives him a full 90 minutes.

[NB-MVP]

Originally Posted by DelijaZauvjek

Pandev will score a goal..........
Then Kolarov from free kick heheh =D

doubt it. Lazio realy sucks this season and Atalanta is on fire.

[valdanito]

Well we won!!
3-0

two penalties by rocchi and one goal from goran pandev.

Kolarov didnt play due to supsension, but radu filled in perfectly.

[valdanito]

Cagliari - Lazio

Stadio Sant'Elia

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Basement club Cagliari will be looking to make up some ground on the sides above them when they welcome Lazio to the Stadio Sant’Elia. The Sardinian minnows have only picked up three victories this term, but the Biancocelesti are far from strong on their travels with just one win to their name.

However, Delio Rossi’s boys should be full of confidence after a resounding victory over Atalanta last weekend which eased them further away from the drop zone. If they are to kick-on and challenge for a spot in Europe then this is the type of game that they must be winning so it comes as no surprise that Rossi is likely to stick with largely the same starting XI which netted three times without reply against the Orobici.

The only change is expected to be the return from suspension of Serbian ace Aleksandar Kolarov, who will replace new boy Stefan Radu. Tommaso Rocchi and Goran Pandev will continue their partnership at the expense of January arrival Rolando Bianchi, who has impressed as a substitute but not to the extent that he can split up the 17-goal duo.

The home side are also expected to make limited changes, despite falling to a disappointing 2-1 loss at Palermo last time out. Michele Ferri picked up an injury in that game so he sees his place go to Francesco Pisano, while Daniele Conti is suspended which gives Portuguese youngster Vitor Gomes the opportunity to make his first appearance for the Rossoblu. Coach Davide Ballardini will be relying heavily on Pasquale Foggia to produce the goods though, as the Azzurri international will be keen to make an impression against the club who own him.

Previous meetings between the sides in recent years had largely been pretty even before Lazio won the last two clashes, with four consecutive games finishing all-square. Rocchi was Cagliari’s tormentor earlier this season with a brace to help his side emerge with a 3-1 victory, while he also netted in the 2-0 success a year ago. However, prior to that Lazio hadn’t beaten the Isolani since 1999 in League action.

Keep an eye on: Pasquale Foggia (Cagliari) – The 24-year-old has a point to prove to Lazio after barely being given a chance with the Biancocelesti. A good performance will also boost his bid to make Italy’s Euro 2008 squad.

Last season: Cagliari 0-2 Lazio

Form guide: Cagliari (L W D D L) Lazio (D D W L W)


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cagliari (probable): Storari; Pisano, Lopez, Bianco, Agostini; Biondini, Vitor Gomes, Parola; Foggia, Jeda; Matri

Lazio (probable): Ballotta; Behrami, Siviglia, Cribari, Kolarov; Mudingayi, Ledesma, Manfredini; Mauri; Pandev, Rocchi

Ref: To follow...

ch4

[valdanito]

I dont expect anything, milan will beat us for sure! the way we have been playing this season.

They might save some players for the cl game, but i doubt that will be enough for a lazio lacking in every department

[valdanito]

btw we lost 1-0 to a 10 man cagliari and beat reggina 1-0 at home with bianchi penlaty.

Glad to see bianchi score his 1st serie a goalw ith lazio

[valdanito]

1-1 at the san siro. ref really blew it for us.

[valdanito]

The Italian media is bias! its incredible, they complain all season long about Inter beeing favored by the red, but look at yesterday! That penalty Behrami committed on whoever from Milan was ridiculous. That was not a penalty. The red card De Silvestri got yesterday was at most a yellow card. Yet the Italian media have described these incidents as a clear penalty and an obvious red card!

Milan rot in hell seriously....

We should have beaten these bastards, we deserved our 3 points, but I'm happy we managed to walk away with something from this match
FORZA LAZIO!

[valdanito]

Serie A Week 27 - 9/3/08 (14.00 UK)

Lazio - Livorno
Stadio Olimpico

Lazio’s meetings with Livorno are always politically charged encounters. Battles between Paolo Di Canio and Cristiano Lucarelli in 2005 were more than just fights on the pitch – they were clashes of culture and ideology.

This year the atmosphere couldn’t be more different. The Biancocelesti haven’t won in three games while Livorno, despite beating Catania at the weekend, are just two points above the drop zone.

Delio Rossi’s side have taken the lead in seven games this season only to lose or draw, costing the Aquilotti a precious 12 points. In October Lazio went ahead against rivals Roma before going down 3-2. In the crucial Champions League tie with Olympiacos, Goran Pandev sent his team into advantage but the Biancoceleste still lost 2-1. Siena and Genoa both came back to steal victories from Lazio.

The last such occasion was at San Siro on Sunday when, after taking the lead through Rolando Bianchi early in the second half, former Laziale Massimo Oddo equalised for Milan in the 66th minute.

To make matters worse for the Rome outfit young left-back Lorenzo De Silvestri will not be available after his sending off against the Rossoneri. Rossi will also be without midfield guardian Gaby Mudingayi, compounding the Laziali’s defensive problems – the two-time Scudetto winners have conceded 33 goals in this campaign and have the fourth worst attack in Serie A.

Livorno recorded their first win in six games against Catania thanks to a glittering second half strike from trequartista Alessandro Diamanti who was playing with Serie D side ***ecchio six years ago, and, justifiably, Giancarlo Camolese was thrilled with the way the Amaranto played.

“After going in front we dominated the game and had tens of shots on goal,” affirmed the former Lazio midfielder turned Coach.

The Labronici have performed as well away as they have at home in 2007-08 picking up three wins on their travels. Striker Francesco Tavano has gone four matches without a goal, but Lazio will have to watch their backs given the 28-year-olds resurgence over the last eight months.

Keep an eye on: Francesco Tavano (Livorno) – Ciccio has scored 10 goals this season and has given the Amaranto hope of remaining in Serie A next year. A late developer like Luca Toni, Lazio should beware of his uncanny ability at netting braces.

Last season: Lazio 1-0 Livorno

Form guide: Lazio (L W L L D) Livorno (D L L L W)

Lazio (probable): Ballotta; Rozanhal, Siviglia, Cribari, Radu; Ledesma, Behrami, Dabo; Pandev; Bianchi, Rocchi

Livorno (probable): Amelia; Grandoni, Knezevic, Galante; Balleri, Pulzetti, De Vezze, Filippini, Pasquale; Tristan, Tavano

Ref: To follow...
ch4

[valdanito]

I saw a very good Lazio against Milan, hopefully we will perform in similar fashions against bitter rivals Livorno.

This is one of those matches where you expect Lazio fans to do something stupid, anyway FORZA LAZIO! 3 points is a must!

[valdanito]

Im really hoping to see Rocchi and Bianchi upfront with Pandev as a trequartista. O de 10 como decimos.

I think that is pandevs best position, it favors him the most. He can come in and attack from behind or he can assist, something for what he is known for.

[valdanito]

Lazio made short work of troubled Livorno to end their three-match winless streak.

These have always been politically charged encounters, as Lazio's far-right fanbase riled up the Livorno left-wing element. This time there was more to worry about on the field, as the Biancocelesti were without a win in three and the Amaranto were just two points above the drop zone. Lorenzo De Silvestri sat out a ban and joined the injured Gaby Mudingayi on the sidelines.

Livorno only ever won here in 1943, losing their other 14 visits to the capital. Marco Amelia punched away a Tommaso Rocchi slalom and snapshot at the near post.

Rocchi beat Sereni eventually on 15 minutes, although it took two attempts. His first volley from Cristian Ledesma's whipped-in free kick was parried, but Rocchi got the second into the back of the net from six yards.

Lazio doubled their advantage with the trident combining. Rolando Bianchi tried to hold up a cross, Rocchi's shot was charged down and Goran Pandev's final effort from the D took a deflection off Simone Pavan.

Alessandro Diamanti drilled just over from distance, but he was substituted by centre-forward Erjon Bogdani at the break.

A set-piece was cleared to the D where Nico Pulzetti's screamer was deflected just past the top corner.

Amelia was kept very busy around the hour mark, making a series of saves on Rocchi's long-range effort and especially a Radu header from point-blank range.

Amelia also turned a Bianchi angled drive out for a corner and another Radu header downards, as there was only ever really one team in it. The tension got to Livorno, as a scuffle broke out in the final minutes between Christian Manfredini, Antonio Filippini and David Balleri.

Lazio: Ballotta; Behrami, Siviglia, Cribari, Radu; Dabo (Kolarov 84), Ledesma, Manfredini; Pandev, Bianchi (Meghni 75), Rocchi (Tare 91)

Livorno: Amelia; Grandoni, Pavan, Galante; Pulzetti (Balleri 79), Vidigal, De Vezze (Loviso 64), A Filippini, Pasquale; Diamanti (Bogdani 46); Tavano

Ref: Mazzoleni
CH4

[valdanito]

Whenever these sides meet fans are guaranteed a game full of twists and turns, offering a microcosm of their respective seasons.

The Zebrette started their campaign well and were challenging for a Champions League spot until an indifferent January and February left Pasquale Marino’s boys seven points adrift of fourth placed Fiorentina.

Udinese’s attacking assets are well publicised. Antonio Di Natale and Fabio Quagliarella have made the net bulge 20 times already in 2007-08, but it is their young Slovenian goalkeeper Samir Handanovic who has been in-form of late.

The 23-year-old has had no problem replacing the Bianconeri’s previous shot-stopper, Morgan De Sanctis, who left for Sevilla in the summer, and has contributed as many points to Udinese’s tally as their front-page-grabbing strikers. Handanovic made a string of fine saves to keep Palermo at bay on Saturday, ensuring the game ended 1-1.

Lazio, by contrast, began woefully by collecting only 10 points from their first 10 games. The Champions League group stages and some goalkeeping confusion took their toll, but since the turn of the year the Aquilotti have become more consistent and are playing some thrilling attacking football.

The acquisition of Rolando Bianchi from Manchester City in January has inspired Dellio Rossi to try an exhilarating 4-3-1-2 system. The deployment of Macedonian Goran Pandev in the hole behind the strikers has made great use of his exquisite technique. In Valon Behrami and Daniel Radu, Lazio have a pair of enterprising full-backs capable of supplying Bianchi and Rocchi with more than enough ball to make them happy.

Rocchi and Pandev got on the scoresheet at the weekend in the Rome outfit’s 2-0 win against Livorno. The couple have netted 62 per cent of Lazio’s goals this season, 19 of their 31.

The spring has been a fruitful period for the Aquilotti in recent seasons. Rossi’s men beat Udinese 4-2 at Friuli last March while on their run of eight consecutive victories which ultimately landed them in the Champions League.

Rocchi has scored three in his last three matches against the Zebrette which will worry Marino as his side have only won one of their five fixtures at Friuli in 2008.

Keep an eye on: Goran Pandev (Lazio) – The elegant 24-year-old Macedonian has come into his own in this campaign, becoming the team’s main supplier of goals after Tommaso Rocchi’s injury-plagued season. He scored 11 last year and has already netted 10 with 11 games still to play. No wonder Bayern Munich tried to tempt Lazio President Claudio Lotito with a £26m bid for his services in the summer.

Last season: Udinese 2-4 Lazio

Form guide: Udinese (W L L W D) Lazio (W L W D W)

Udinese (probable): Handanovic; Coda, Felipe, Siqueira; Ferronetti, D’Agostino, Inler, Isla; Pepe, Quagliarella, Di Natale

Lazio (probable): Ballotta; Behrami, Siviglia, Cribari, Radu; Dabo, Ledesma, Manfredini; Pandev; Rocchi, Bianchi

Ref: To follow...

ch4

[valdanito]

2-2.

A draw is a fair result

[valdanito]

Serie A Week 29 - 19/3/08 (20.15 UK)

Lazio - Roma
Stadio Olimpico

There’s a charged Derby della Capitale in prospect as Lazio try to snuff out Roma’s Scudetto chances and continue their recent improvement at the Stadio Olimpico. This fixture is so often a classic and is one of the season’s most eagerly anticipated battles.

Even Lazio’s most optimistic fans are ready to write this term off as a season of consolidation. With last year’s third-placed side embedded in the middle of the pack, the general feeling is relief having seen the grim spectre of relegation. The Aquile have finally shown some consistency of late and last weekend’s entertaining 2-2 draw with Udinese was their fourth game unbeaten, but the only truly feasible route to the UEFA Cup must be via the Coppa Italia.

While Lazio may be playing for pride, that is a huge factor in a Rome derby. Furthermore, they will have the chance to more or less end their city rivals’ Scudetto hopes. Coach Delio Rossi also won’t be lacking motivation as he could be playing for his job. There is a genuine possibility that Lazio’s temperament may be lacking – they have an awful disciplinary record with eight red cards and 75 bookings to their name and there’s every chance they could be reduced to 10 men on such a fraught occasion.

Roma are just starting to believe in the unlikeliest of titles. Last Saturday’s 2-1 comeback win over Milan was the stuff of champions and the Giallorossi will be loving every minute of Inter’s unrest. A six-point gap is by no means unassailable, but there is no room for error from now until the end of the season, even in exceptional circumstances such as these.

So far there have been no signs of tiredness, despite maintaining a Scudetto push and a Champions League campaign, but it remains to be seen whether fighting on three fronts will prove too great a strain for Luciano Spalletti’s side when the Coppa Italia restarts next month. The Lupi just need to do what they do best and hit Lazio at speed. They must also maintain their proud record of having had the most shots on target of any Serie A side – their total of 164 amounts to nearly six goal-bound efforts per game.

While Roma will be favourites, Lazio embarrassed them 3-0 in this fixture last year. Week 10’s encounter was something of a classic as Roma ran out 3-2 winners without Francesco Totti.

Rossi has had to contend with injuries all season and is once again without Luciano Zauri, Massimo Mutarelli, Simone Del Nero, Fabio Firmani and Mobido Diakite. Romanian defender Stefan Radu has overcome a thigh strain and is ready if called upon. The trident of Rolando Bianchi, Goran Pandev and Tommaso Rocchi will lead the charge.

Mirko Vucinic was the goal hero against Milan, but the Montenegrin marksman is likely to start on the bench with Totti playing in his usual position of lone striker. Marco Cassetti is injured, but everyone else is available.

Keep an eye on: Tommaso Rocchi (Lazio) – The Venetian hitman has looked like his old prolific self since agreeing a contract extension with the Biancocelesti.

Last season: Lazio 3-0 Roma

Form guide: Lazio (L W D W D) Roma (W D W W W)

Lazio (probable): Ballotta; De Silvestri, Siviglia, Cribari, Radu; Dabo, Ledesma, Behrami; Pandev, Bianchi, Rocchi

Roma (probable): Doni; Panucci, Mexes, Juan, Tonetto; De Rossi, Pizarro, Taddei, Perrotta, Mancini; Totti

Ref: To follow...

ch4


Lets rip`rioma away from the scudetto