[Jager]

Lazio 1 - 2 Palermo
Di Michele 10, 38 (P), Rocchi 73 (L)
Stadio Olimpico

Palermo are on top of the table after another goal-packed encounter at the Stadio Olimpico, but Lazio are in trouble.

This was all set to be a thoroughly entertaining clash in the capital. The Biancocelesti have always been goal machines on home turf, while Palermo squeezed past Reggina 4-3 in last week's opener. The fact that this tie ended 4-2 for Lazio last season was further reason to keep an eye on the Olimpico. Former Rosanero striker Stephen Makinwa was on the bench.

It was Palermo who took a surprise lead with a spectacular goal. Fabio Simplicio intercepted the ball in midfield and threaded through immediately for David Di Michele to spring the offside trap, where he lobbed the goalkeeper.

Christian Manfredini and Cristian Ledesma had long-range efforts, then Stefano Mauri failed to get enough power on the finish at the end of a sweeping team move.

Palermo goalkeeper Federico Agliardi mis-timed his run out on Tommaso Rocchi, but Goran Pandev was unable to take advantage of the error.

Agliardi did well to push a Gaby Mudingayi strike over the bar, then soon after performed another impressive reaction save on Manfredini's header from a Massimo Oddo cross.

However, this left Lazio unbalanced and Palermo struck with an almost identical goal to the first. Roberto Guana threaded through for Di Michele, who again placed a delightful lob over the stranded Angelo Peruzzi.

It could so easily have been 3-0 moments later. Di Michele skipped through defenders and cut across for Fabio Simplicio, only for the ex-Parma man's shot to cannon off the upright.

Manfredini really should've pulled one back for Lazio on the stroke of half-time, but somehow aimed a totally free header wide from a corner kick.

Moments later another set-piece found Manfredini's flicked-on header, which was parried into the path of Pandev and another great save from Agliardi kept Palermo clear in front.

It was turning into a siege on the Palermo goal towards half-time and Agliardi performed nothing short of heroics. He flew to flap out a long-range Mauri strike, then again on Oddo's screamer.

Palermo certainly weren't secure, as they were leading here 2-0 last season only to lose 4-2. Pasquale Foggia and Marco Pisano were introduced, while Pandev saw his turn and shot charged down.

The Sicilians now focused primarily on the counter-attack, Amauri testing Peruzzi's reflexes with a low strike. Lazio weren't nearly as dangerous as they had been in the first half and threw on ex-Palermo hitman Stephen Makinwa, the Nigerian bringing a great save out of Agliardi with his header.

However, Lazio had a spot of luck to get back into the game. Stefano Mauri hooked down a long ball and rolled it across for Tommaso Rocchi, whose finish went between Agliardi's legs. Under the new rules stating that only the team who has conceded can pick the ball out of the net, Makinwa was booked for trying to get play moving again quickly.

It could've been an equaliser on 81 minutes when Oddo placed a perfect cross for Mauri at the back post, but he came sliding in and incredibly turned it wide from six yards.

Stoppages were a tense affair as Agliardi came flying out to close down Stendardo on Makinwa's assist to spring the offside trap.

Lazio: Peruzzi; Oddo, Stendardo, Siviglia, Zauri; Manfredini (Foggia 53), Ledesma (Baronio 80), Mudingayi, Mauri; Rocchi, Pandev (Makinwa 59)

Palermo: Agliardi; Zaccardo, Barzagli, Biava; Diana, Guana, Corini (Parravicini 83), Simplicio, Capuano (Pisano 54); Di Michele (Caracciolo 67), Amauri

Ref: Rizzoli

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