[dukeofdavinci]

Rossi hopes for golden century Tuesday 23 October, 2007

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Lazio boss Delio Rossi is preparing for his 100th game on the Biancocelesti bench and believes his injury-hit side can upset Werder Bremen.

The capital club travel to Germany tomorrow for a crucial Champions League clash, but they will be without many of their key men.

Star midfielders Massimo Mutarelli and Stefano Mauri are set to miss out, while Valon Behrami and last weekend’s goal hero Goran Pandev also look unlikely to shake off knocks.

Despite their injury woes, all four men feature in the squad to travel to Bremen, but it is unclear whether any will be fit enough to feature.

“We have had an injury crisis since the start of the season and there are two choices – cry about it and feel sorry for ourselves or get on with it,” Rossi stated.

“It’s normal to have knocks when you play every three days, but at least they aren’t muscular problems. With Lazio you live day to day and anything can happen at any time.

“I’m expecting an open game. We are playing against a strong side, but we will play in our way, We aren’t the kind of team who play safely and guarantee draws.

“Werder are a physical squad with some special talents like Torsten Frings and Diego, but I believe in the men at my disposal.”

Rossi also spoke about his personal achievement of surviving to manage his 100th game in the pressure cooker of the Stado Olimpico,

“I’m proud because this is a prestigious post,” he grinned.

“I want to thank everyone, especially those who have always kept faith in me. Sometimes you need faith because you can’t always rely on results.

Lazio have already drawn with Olympiacos and Real Madrid and three points from their trip to the Weserstadion would be invaluable.

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

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