[Jager]

Serie A Week 2 - 17/9/06 (14.00 UK)

Lazio - Palermo
Stadio Olimpico

The neutral fan will be hoping that Palermo can provide as much excitement when they travel to Lazio as they did in the opening round of matches. With both teams evenly matched it could be a classic at the Stadio Olimpico in Week 2.

Lazio’s spirits will not have been dampened too much by their opening day defeat to Milan at the San Siro, as was shown by new captain Massimo Oddo’s confident words after that game. With the World Cup winner driving his teammates on, the Biancocelesti will be fully expecting a win in their first home tie of the 2006-07 season.

The manner in which the players refused to give up against the Rossoneri, and even came close to a late equaliser after going two goals behind, will have Coach Delio Rossi in a positive mood. With a long wait until Week 15 before they have to face another of the Scudetto chasing big three Rossi will be looking to start grinding down their 11-point Calciopoli with a win in this encounter.

The only player missing for Lazio will be Valon Behrami who is out until the end of the year, but Stephen Makinwa may have to settle for a place on the bench again despite coming on to score the team’s only goal against Milan. Palermo also have just one absentee in the form of defender Cesare Bovo who is unlikely to feature for around a month.

Rosanero Coach Francesco Guidolin will be rueing that injury though after he saw his defence concede three times to relegation candidates Reggina in Week 1. Fabrizio Biava may have scored an impressive scorpion-kick in that match, but he will need to keep things tighter at the back if he is to keep the tactician happy, especially with new signings Ciro Capuano, Mattia Cassani and Paolo Dellafiore waiting in the wings.

The four goals scored by the Sicilians against the Amaranto makes for better news, as does the return of last season’s star David Di Michele. If Palermo can keep their attacking flow while tightening up in defence they could well give their hosts an early season headache.

Man on fire: Mark Bresciano (Palermo) – After an excellent World Cup with Australia, Bresciano has wasted no time settling in Sicily. As if a spectacular bicycle-kick goal just 11 minutes into his debut wasn’t enough he then added a second only to see it disallowed.

Last season: Lazio 4-2 Palermo

Form guide: Lazio (L - - - -) Palermo (W - - - -)

Lazio (probable): Peruzzi; Oddo, Siviglia, Cribari, Zauri; Foggia, Mudingayi, Ledesma, Mauri; Rocchi, Pandev

Palermo (probable): Agliardi; Zaccardo, Biava, Barzagli, Pisano; Diana, Corini, Simplicio; Bresciano, Di Michele; Amauri

Ref: To follow...

http://www.channel4.com/sport/footba...7/laz-pal.html