Dear Lazio fans and all readers of this blog, allow me to wish you all the best in this new year 2009. Let us all, first and foremost be healthy and live a happy year, without conflicts and wars.

In terms of football and Lazio more precisely, I really wish this seaon to be a break-through one, claim at least an UEFA Cup spot and sign a good player in January.

Serie A this week returns to action and we play Reggina away. For this match and latest transfer roumours, please visit during the week as I plan to return to regular blog update.

As the Serie A season has a usual break, this blog will most probably follow suit, because no Lazio activity, no blog posts.

However, since in the mean time mercato will begin, I doubt I can ignore the names that will most probably link to coming to Lazio and those going out.

It appears though as a midfielder is the most urgent need, given the fact that Matuzalem failed to remain healthy and has hardly played since his arrival.

Brazilian Elano is roumoured to be arriving, but who knows what may happen with Lotito on board.

Lazio players had yesterday the last training session before going on leave. Training will resume on January 2.

The match just ended. What is seemed a totally predictable draw due to Palermo`s way of playing,we somehow managed to grab 3 points and win after 5 weeks,.

Tommy Rocchi, who entered for Zarate scored the goal after a brilliant pass by Meghnil. More match comments, photos and the goals to follow later or tomorrow.

Match report from Channel4

Tommaso Rocchi gave Lazio their first win in over a month, bringing down 10-man Palermo.

Delio Rossi saw this as the “perfect opportunity” to knock out one of the other contenders for a place in Europe. Last week Lazio fought back from 3-0 down to draw in Udine, so confidence was growing after just two points from five games, but Stefano Mauri and Sebastiano Siviglia were injured. Palermo welcomed back Fabrizio Miccoli, whose two-match ban for insulting the referee was reduced on appeal.

Mobido Diakhite’ did well to cut short Mark Bresciano from eight yards with a sliding tackle after Fabio Simplicio had threaded through to send the Australian clear.

A free kick was passed out to Antonio Nocerino on the edge of the box for a fierce drive that skimmed the near post. Davide Succi’s counter was then charged down in the area.

Lazio’s first real opportunity was on 23 minutes with Goran Pandev sent clear on goal, but he brought a fantastic one-handed reaction save out of Marco Amelia from point-blank range.

Mauro Zarate hit the back of the net on the half-hour mark, but it was correctly flagged offside from Pandev’s chipped pass over the defence. At the other end, Simplicio sprung the trap and Juan Pablo Carrizo came tearing out to take the ball off his foot in a one-on-one.

Mattia Cassani’s header from a Fabio Liverani free kick was deflected on to the side-netting by Pasquale Foggia, Liverani accidentally kicked Foggia in the face when he stumbled over the Lazio man’s sliding tackle, but the former Cagliari player was able to continue.

Carrizo took two attempts to smother Miccoli’s snapshot and a Nocerino counter was deflected out for a corner. In first half stoppages, Carrizo got down to smother a Succi header.

Lazio came out fighting for the second half, as Foggia held up the ball for Mauro Zarate, but Cassani’s deflection and an Amelia save with an outstretched foot managed to parry.

Amelia also rushed out to close down Foggia and a very unhappy Zarate was replaced by Rocchi. That made all the difference, as the Biancocelesti suddenly sprung to life. He nodded just over the bar from Lichtsteiner’s cross, then he was incorrectly flagged offside when clear in the box.

The deadlock was finally broken on 66 minutes with their most dangerous player, Rocchi. Mourad Meghni crossed from the left flank for Rocchi to sweep in with the inside of his left foot from six yards.

Less than 30 seconds later Palermo should’ve been level, but Bresciano somehow fired wide at the back post from six yards.

The Rosanero’s game got worse as Federico Balzaretti hacked down Lichtsteiner from behind for a second bookable offence. Lichtsteiner was unable to continue, as he appeared to sprain his ankle.

Lazio poured forward with Foggia thumping the woodwork twice in 40 seconds! His free kick smashed against the outside of the upright, then he dribbled past two players for a low drive that also clipped the same post.

Miccoli also picked up an injury and Liverani had timid penalty appeals waved away, while the same was true of Pandev with a shove from Cesare Bovo.

vs.     

We have not won in the last 5 matches or so. I find it difficult to recall the last time we scored a goal and let the oposition team chase the result. I want to see exactly that happen against Palermo, tomorrow at Stadio Olimpico at 18;00 CET.

A win here would at least come down the heavy atmosphere that is prevailing recent weeks among players, the staff and of course the fans. Also, given the fact that after this match there will be the usual 3 weeks off in Serie A, it will encouragining to win and grad 3 points. We would strenthen the position to fight for a Uefa cup place next season and also make a bigger distance from the same Palermo who has only one point less than us.

As for the starting 11 is concerned, Siviglia is still out while Matuzalem`s come has been delaid again as he suffer a thigh injury during the week playing with Primavera. Others are available and Delio Rossi again faces old dilemmas, especially regarding attack. Diakite will once again start and I am really glad about it. Brocchi has suffer a small injury yesterday and he is under question mark. All in all, we may expect this formation;

Carrizo; Lichtsteiner, Diakite, Rozenhal, Kolarov; Dabo - Ledesma - Meghni, Mauri, Pandev and Zarate.

I am having a debate with fellow Lazio fans at Xtratime Forums here regarding Delio Rossi, I argue that it is time that he leaves Lazio and a new coach is installed. This is more or less my first post there:

You may know by now that I am the loudest voice in Lazio forums calling for Delio Rossi to go.

It is not that we are standing very bad on the standings, but with the way Serie A has moved so far and with the team at disposal, we can do much much better.

Than followed some voices that were not on the same line with me, but most of them agreed that something is not right.

And after the name of Donadoni appeared yesterday on some sports web sites as a possible successor to D.Rossi, I embraced that idea immediately, while some were against him. I think a change is needed sooner rather than later and that new ideas are needed in leading this team to the goals set (European cups) and that Donadoni is right now a decent candidate to take over Rossi. He was a good player coached by best coaches of his time and the fact that he coached Italian NT means quite a lot to me.

Just when I though Delio Rossi has done with his (unproven and unreasoned) experiments, he strikes again. He fielded against Udinese a 4-4-2 with Belleri as a RB and Simone Del Nero as a left midfielder ! Stunning isn`t it.

Ok, I have favored and still think that we should switch to 4-4-2 but certanly not with players who have played for the first time this season in such position and overall.

In the first half, Lazio was the usual self of the last month or so: pathetic and brainless. Hence we concede twice through extremely fast breks made by Udinese players. Carrizo was helpless on both occasions. However, the latter was partially at fault (if not entirely) for the third goald after he failed to properly hold the ball. I remind you that after the break, Rossi entered Pandev and Meghi for Belleri and Del Nero.

Then we scored a goal through Zarate after Pandev did a havoc through Udinese defense. It was not difficult for the Argentine to score. Lazio kept pushing and the second goal and a ray of hope came from Diakite, who jumped more than others and Handanovic had no chance. Ledesma`s equalizer came when we were all over Udinese, attacking from all sides. After 3-3, I was actually thinking we could even get away with a win, but perhaps that would have been to unfair and unjust to Udinese. That is why a draw was a fair result overall.

In my view, if this match would serve to fire Delio Rossi, I would agree with that defeat. It is more obvious than ever that he is done with coaching this team. His system and ideas no longer are productive for this team. Nevertheless, I will blog seperately on this issue. At the end, if you missed the goals, here are the highlits:

vs.         

Udinese and Lazio were the real surprises of the new Serie A season. However, they are no longer that. They have lost that status since failing to maintain that initial form. Udinese has a very talented team and played a very entertaining and attractive football. However, they have somehow managed to lose their last 5 matches.

Lazio on the other hand is more or less in the same situation. We did not lost 5 times in a row, but we did not win in the last 4 matches (scoring only 1 goal) and noone knows what may happen or what to expect this Sunday at Friuli.

This will be a very interesting match as whoever loses, may find their crisis go deeper and coaches will be on fire on Monday.

Lazio has some formation difficulties just when it was though that the team would finally be healthy.

Pandev, Brocchi and Siviglia will certainly miss this match, while Kolarov, De Silvestri and more recently Zarate are doubtful.

Lichsteiner was expected to play in the middle together with Ledesma and Dabo. Up front, Rocchi is the only one certain of his place in the starting 11.

All in all, I really hope we manage to win, though it will be difficult. Players need a good performance and a win to boost their free-fallin self-confidence.

In case you missed the latest news and things related to Lazio, I am posting a shorty here:

Brocchi will miss our next match through suspension;

Matuzalem and Firmani are finally fully fit and are expected to be in the team that will play Udinese this Sunday;

Pandev has suffered a less serious injury against Inter than previously though. It is however certain that he will miss too the Udinese match;

Lichsteiner is expected to play in midfield this match, accompanied by Ledesma and most probably Dabo.

Lazio is appartently interested in Man.City`s Brasilian midfielder Elano. Having seen him play last season, I would personally welcome him in our team. He is a fantastic midfielder worth investing in.

Most probably, Mobido Diakite does not need defending at all, but nevertheless, given him criticized a lot in Lazio forums about his own goal against Inter, I take this opportunity to take his side.

First of all, I rate Diakite very high, and from the first moment I saw him play, I though that this guy has everything needed to play for Lazio. He is tall, strong and fast, the majority of skills and features needed for a central defender. Of course, he still needs improvements in some areas but I doubt he`ll get them if he keeps being benched by Deli Rossi.

Instead of him being given the chance against other teams earlier during the season, Delio Rossi made it hard for him and played him against strongest teams such are Milan and Inter. And in my eyes he did pretty well. Against Milan, he was fantastic and praised by everyone, but against Inter, he was criticized way too much for that own goal.

Now we must agree that even if he did not score that own-goal, there was no way for us to grab a better result against Inter. They are a far better team than Lazio right now. Diakite kept an eye on Cruz earlier during the match and than Ibra. He did not delude at all. Diakite is the future of Lazio and such he should be treated. He should be given priority ahead of Cribari and Siviglia, as the former is not strong and fast enought, and the latter is getting older. He should play much more in the rest of the season that he did thus far. Only by playing he will mature and convince everyone that he is to be trusted in the future.

Before I continue to write further, I would like to say to those who did not watch the game that Inter was the better team, but we did not deserve to lose with 3 goal difference.

The much anticipated match between Lazio and Inter ended in a way that only pleased Jose Mourinho. We were 1 goal down before we realized that the match had actually started. While Rozenhal and Diakite were keeping an eye on Ibrahimovic and Cruz, De Silvestri who was taking care of  for a moment lost Samuel who had no difficulty putting the ball into the net.

And the match was dead before it even really started. Inter is lucky to have players such are Cambiaso, Zanetti and Maicon (among others) who read the match so well and do not allow oponents to develop their games. The same happened last night. They were pressuring Ledesma, Foggia, Zarate keeping them away from goal and blocking their passes. It was bloody difficult to create anything, even a tiny chance.

And then, seconds before the half time, Diakite (who was great last night overall) scored an own-goal, a thing which could have been avoided with ease. Game over.

Second half was a routine match for Inter. Easy controll of the game and another goal through Ibrahimovic, who scored without trying much.

Failure to seriously challenge Inter last night proved once again that Lazio is in deep playing crisis. Creating chances has become difficult while we lack tall players to challenge from set-pieces or crosses. Here is my evaluation of players last night:

Carrizo-6: Can`t blame him for any of the goals.

De Silvestri-5: Lost Samuel who scored the opening goal. Otherwise a decent match from him.

Diakite-5: One of the best last night, but that own goal was devastating.

Rozenhal-6: Probably our best, considering he had to face a Ibra. The latter`s goal was offside.

Kolarov-5: He should use his brain more. Defender`s duty is to defend, and when given a chance to attack.

Dabo-Ledesma-Mauri- 5: They were never really into the match. Inter midfielders are far better then hours.

Foggia-5: Tried his best, but against such opponents, it is difficult to manage.

Pandev;no vote. Had to leave the match due to injury.

Zarate-6: He tried and faught, but it was difficult against such experienced defenders.

Rochi, Brocchi and Meghni had no impact on the match whatsoever.