[D-Kin]

Serie A Week 8 - 21/10/07 (14.00 UK)
Livorno - Lazio

Stadio Picchi

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Lazio and Livorno meet at the Stadio Picchi hoping for a change in fortune this weekend after picking up just one League victory between them this term. A winless start proved too much for Amaranto President Aldo Spinelli as he showed Nando Orsi the exit, but for how long will Biancocelesti chief Claudio Lotito keep faith in Delio Rossi?

Given that the former Atalanta boss guided the capital boys to a place in the Champions League and led his side to a memorable 2-2 draw in their last European Cup outing against Real Madrid, it is likely that his hot seat won’t reach boiling point anytime soon. Nonetheless, he needs a good run in Serie A to win back the faith of the supporters, especially after being thrashed at home in their last League game against Milan.

Despite seemingly giving his backing to under-fire ‘keeper Nestor Muslera – who has endured something of a nightmare since joining the club at the end of the transfer window – Rossi seems set to recall veteran shot-stopper Marco Ballotta to offer his injury-hit defence more assurances. That doesn’t mean that the backline will remain unchanged though, as Valon Behrami moves to the right-back slot in place of Lorenzo De Silvestri, with Christian Manfredini stepping into the midfield. Stefano Mauri is also pushed further upfield in the week that he was recalled to the Italy squad.

The man to replace Orsi – who, incidentally, once served as Roberto Mancini’s assistant when he was Coach of Lazio – is Giancarlo Camolese, a tactician best remembered for his stint in charge of Torino. The 46-year-old clearly isn’t happy with how things were done under his predecessor as he looks set to make changes aplenty for his first game in charge.

David Balleri’s experience will be missed as he sits out a one-match ban after picking up two yellows against Catania, but his likely replacement Simone Pavan boasts a Serie A CV which is approaching 200 games. Fabio Galante – who played under Camolese at Torino – has even more top-flight appearances to his name and he should come in for the inexperienced Croatian centre-back Dario Knezevic.

That’s not the end of it though. Luis Vidigal, once again a major disappointment after a poor season last time out, is set to be axed so that Emanuele Filippini can join his twin brother Antonio in the midfield. Massimo Loviso is tipped to replace fellow summer arrival Alessandro Diamanti, while Erjon Bogdani’s place alongside Francesco Tavano should go to former Catania striker Fausto Rossini.

Meetings between the sides have been pretty even since Livorno returned to the Italian top flight in 2004, with Lazio just shading the head-to-heads by three wins to the Amaranto’s two, while one game finished level. However, the Biancocelesti have failed to win at the Stadio Picchi in that time.

Keep an eye on: Marco Ballotta (Lazio) – The OAP ‘keeper looks set to be handed the gloves again after Nestor Muslera’s blunders against Milan, but how will he handle the pressure?

Last season: Livorno 1-1 Lazio

Form guide: Livorno (D D L L L) Lazio (D L W D L)

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Livorno (probable): Amelia; Grandoni, Pavan, Galante, Pasquale; E Filippini, Giannichedda, A Filippini; Loviso; Tavano, Rossini

Lazio (probable): Ballotta; Behrami, Stendardo, Cribari, Zauri; Mudingayi, Mutarelli, Manfredini; Mauri; Rocchi, Pandev

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