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Coppa: Stars miss Rome battle Thursday 24 January, 2008

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Lazio and Fiorentina will both be severely weakened for tonight’s Coppa Italia quarter-final first leg at the Stadio Olimpico.

Both sides view the Cup as a priority and fielded strong teams to negotiate their last 16 ties, but injuries are taking their toll.

Former Lazio striker Christian Vieri had hoped to make his return to Rome to face the side he lifted the European Cup Winners’ Cup with in 1998-99, but he will miss out as he isn’t fully fit.

Fiorentina boss Cesare Prandelli will instead turn to Giampaolo Pazzini and Adrian Mutu.

Alessandro Gamberini, Tomas Ujfalusi and Mario Santana also haven’t made the squad due to injuries.

“They aren’t in top condition and it would be divisive to try and hurry them back,” Prandelli explained.

“But we value the Coppa Italia very highly and we want to get through to treat our fans to a semi-final against Inter or Juventus.”

Fabio Liverani may feature for the Gigliati against his old club, but he is currently struggling with a muscle strain.

Lazio will be looking to impress new arrival Rolando Bianchi, who will watch from the stands.

However, the hosts will probably be without midfielders Gaby Mudingayi and Fabio Firmani as well as Luciano Zauri, Stephen Makinwa – who is on African Nations’ Cup duty with Nigeria – and long-term absentees Mourad Meghni and Mobido Diakhite.

Uruguayan youngster Fernando Muslera is ready to take the gloves from veteran Marco Ballotta.

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