[dukeofdavinci]

Rossi ready for Greek epic Monday 17 September, 2007

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Lazio face a daunting test when they visit Greek champions Olympiakos in their Champions League opener on Tuesday, but Coach Delio Rossi is ready.

The Biancocelesti squeezed past Romanian side Dinamo Bucharest in the third qualifying round to earn a place in Group C with Real Madrid and Werder Bremen.

Having only managed three draws so far this term, the Stadio Olimpico faithful could be forgiven for approaching their European adventure with some trepidation, but Aquile boss Rossi is quietly confident.

“The game against Olympiakos is full of hidden dangers, but we are going there to win,” the Rimini native insisted.

“I have a hard-working team that isn’t playing brilliantly at the moment but will sooner or later reach top form and we are getting towards that.

“Last year we had the same number of points as we did now, but we were playing worse as we had already lost two games. You can see the glass as half empty if you want, but this Lazio side deserves credit.”

Lazio squad: Ballotta, Baronio, Cribari, Del Nero, De Silvestri, Kolarov, Ledesma, Makinwa, Manfredini, Meghni, Mauri, Mudingayi, Musiera, Mutarelli, Pandev, Rocchi, Scaloni, Stendardo, Tare, Zauri

judging by their domestic form, it will be a good stating point for them if they can secure a point or even better 3 pts after all the years of absences.