Archive for the ‘Match reports’ Category

I usually don`t like to watch Coppa Italia matches, even when Lazio plays. However, last night I had decided to watch the match against Toro and I did not regret to say the least. I was surprised to see Ledesma, Rocchi, Zarate, starting as I expected them to rest. That meant that Delio Rossi took this match seriously, as he should.

The first half was what Lazio often displayed this season.  A pale dominance on the ball without making any serious chance to score. And of course, a small miss-calculation of Muslera in stretching caused the Toro goal, scored by their defender Natale.

And then in the second half, we see a totally different Lazio, fully determined to change the flow of the match. Pandev enters for injured Foggia (someone stepped on his hand) who scored after a fine pass delivered by Mauri. The latter than scores one of the best goals of the season. A strong left-footed shot from 20 meters. And again the usual Lazio: after the lead the players stop the pace. However, Torino could not score and when the match was coming to an end, Tommy Rocchi fired a shot from 17 meters which ends behind Calderoni`s back.

Man of the match: the much criticized Stefano Mauri. For the pass that lead to Pandev`s goal, for his own goal as well as for his involvement.

Please excuse me for failing to post a match report for this match as I usually do. Many things to do these days.

A fantastic win yesterday at Reggio Calabria. And this is only thanks to an inspired Mauro Zarate and Goran Pandev, who took advantage in the best way possible the assists provided by the Argie.

All in all, it was an entertaining match to watch with both teams playing an open match.

Delio Rossi started with Carrizo, De Silvestri, Diakite, Rozenhal and Radu in defense. Dabo, Ledesma and Meghni in the middle and Zarate, Pandev and Rocchi up front.

What left a bitter taste in my mouth was the mistake of Diakite, on the occasion of Reggina`s second goal. It was a similar mistake like against Inter when he scored that own-goal. It appears he panicks a lot when the ball enters the box. I really hope he overcomes these situations and manages to clear the ball.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5g3FWbubvw[/youtube]

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:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcLyw1p_ax8[/youtube]

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.

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.

vs.           

Ok, just a short preview cause there is little to say about Lazio and Inter.

Inter: by far the strongest Serie A team, with a team including born talents, game winners, dynamic wing backs, strong midfielders – everything. Together with Barcelona, 2 of the best European teams in my humble opinion.

Lazio: team with enough talent to grab a draw against Inter, especially since playing at home. But: since teams such are Lecce and Genoa managed to grad easy draws under same conditions, why would it be difficult for a team like Inter to grab all 3 points ?

As far as formations are concerned, there are little information until now, but I expect both teams field their best available players. Tomorrow I may update the formations part of this entry. Forza LAZIO.

Like I promised last night, here are probable line ups:

Lazio (4-3-1-2): 1 Carrizo, 29 De Silvestri, 25 Cribari, 22 Rozehnal, 32 Radu, 6 Dabo, 24 Ledesma, 5 Brocchi, 11 Mauri, 10 Zarate, 19 Pandev.

Inter (4-4-2): 12 Julio Cesar, 13 Maicon, 2 Cordoba, 25 Samuel, 6 Maxwell, 19 Cambiasso, 4 J. Zanetti, 20 Muntari, 5 Stankovic, 8 Ibrahimovic, 9 Cruz.