Archive for October, 2008

What I considered unthinkable just happened. We were thrashed by Bologna 3-1 in a match we should forget ASAP. We were 3-0 after only 26 minutes and never managed to get back into the match. The team that was causing hvoc to oponents so far in Serie A was unrecognazible this afternoon to say the least.

Our defense was shaky while midfield lacked the dynamism to assist both, defenders in defense and forwards in the attacking phase of the game. This was one of the few matches when one cannot single out at least one player for good performance (save for Tommy Rocchi of course he scored after 5 minutes he got in for Zarate).

However, I cannot only put the blame on our team: I must give credit to Bologna and their coach Arrigoni for doing their homework. He was right when he concluded during the week that Lazio`s game is based on a lot of movements. And that`s exactly what he did: he limited our team`s movements by applying strong pressure on Ledesma in particular and Pandev/Foggia.

As usual, I have my remarks for coach Rossi too: 1. Why he did not give a match off to Lichtsteiner as he played twice for his NT ?; 2. Why not play Rozenhal when one can easily notice that he is in much better shape/form than Siviglia-Cribari ? 3. Why take off Zarate after 45 minutes and not Pandev, who also played twice for his NT ? 4. Why is Radu constantly on the bench when he is much better defender than Kolarov – the primary duty of a defender is too defend rather than attack right ?

So much for tonight. I even wrote more than I previosly though I would, considering the mood I am right now. Next week we face Napoli at home and I want a bloody win.

Finally the break is over and we return to normal Seria A matches.

This week, more precisely on Sunday at 15;00 CET we face Bologna away. The host team has won only the openning match of the campaign against AC Milan and are struggling ever since result-wise. Actually, they do not play bad, but somehow lose their match in narrow margins. They have a decent squad unworthy of being so low in the standings. It would be interesting to see Gabi Mudingayi play against us as he left unwillingly in the summer.

As far as our team is concerned, we expect Tommaso Rocchi to make his first appearance this season after his injury sustained with the Italian Olympic team in Bejing. Also, we will have available another precious piece of the team in the shape of Ausmane Dabo. He may well start on the left and compose a midfield together with great Ledesma and Brocchi.

Carrizo, Lichtsteiner, Pandev, Rozenhall are back from their international duties and are expected to start.

Yesterday at Formello we played a team called Formia and beat them 14-0.  Goals were scored by:Foggia (2), Rocchi (3), Zàrate, S.Inzaghi (5), Makinwa (3).

So, avanti ragazzi and make sure to come back with 3 points and continue to lead the standings.

This is the question that has been bothering me for the last couple of days. The return of captain Tommaso Rocchi against Bologna may see Delio Rossi use the so long awaited tridente: which in practice means to play at the same time Rochi, Zarate and Padev. Playing the three of them at the same time will require some sacrifices from Zarate and Pandev who will have to return back to assist other midfielders. Take that for a fact. Then the question arises: can they be as productive in creating chances/scoring once they will have extra work to do ? That will require physical activity in defending, rather than concentrating in creating and scoring. I honestly don`t know.

What I know for sure however is that Pasquale Foggia, in such a case would have to transfer to the bench. Because Ledesma and Brocchi are starters for sure and at this point coach Rossi is using Mauri as a substitute for the injured Matuzalem.

In other news, it seems Mourad Meghni can`t get a rest from injuries. He got injured again and will for sure miss for some weeks at least.

…that our beloved team is currently lying 1st on the Serie A table with 13 points. [:happy and excited + smiley]

Also, due to club inactivities because of International qualifications, there is very little to write these days regarding clubs.

As a result, this blog will be updated very little (or nothing at all) until a week from now when the team will get to prepare for out next oponent Bologna.

Forza LAZIO.

If nothing else, the last 2 matches we played against Atalanta (for Coppa Italia) and Lecce showed that Stephen Makinwa is a surplus to Lazio requirements this season, especially because of the fact that we do not play in Europe (i.e. less matches).

Makinwa and Inzaghi

Not that I did not know this fact before, but the form of Simone Inzaghi and his impact in the said two matches confirmed what I said in the beginning. While the date when Makinwa scored official goals for Lazio is a forgotten issue, Inzaghi capitalized of the chances given to him and made a splendid assist to Pandev vs. Atalanta and then scored such an important goal against Lecce.

In fact, I consider Makinwa`s arrival to Lazio a huge mistake from the very beginning. If he was that good, Palermo would not had let him leave in the Summer of 2006, when we signed him in co-ownership deal. And then the biggest mistake: in 2007, after Zamparini and Lotito failed to find a solution regarding him, they entered into bidding and Lotito made a higher bid and overall the player cost the team some incredible 6.7 mil euros (considering his contribution of course. Delio Rossi should have never insisted of brining him. He wasn`t that good even from Atalanta time, but since coach Rossi coached him back then, saw him something that the rest of didn`t.

Nevertheless, it appears that Delio Rossi has understood that it is hopeless to insist and play Makinwa, even as a reserve player.

Let`s make something clear, it is not that I like Simone Inzaghi either, but for the time being Makinwa is in such a poor playing form that even someone like Simone is looking outstanding.

The match just ended. I was watching it in an online stream which piss***ed me off as the picture would froze often.

A very short match commentary:

Lecce scored in the first half and controlled the match by applying a smart tactics with many midfielders and not allowing Zarate and Pandev to combine. They scored the goal on the only counter attack and our defense and especially Carrizo could and should have done better.

The second half was much better: Meghni and Kolarov entered for Mauri and Radu. Kolarov hit the post while Pandev missed a more than a 100% chance.

The last substitute was Simone Inzghi who entered for Brocchi and he was decisive as he scored late on the game. As we scored after a long push and at the moments when the match was coming to the end, this was Delio Rossi`s reaction:

I hate when we play at this interval.