[D-Kin]

Serie A Week 25 - 27/2/08 (19.30 UK)
Lazio 1 - 0 Reggina
Bianchi pen 44 (L)
Stadio Olimpico

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Rolando Bianchi's first goal in a Lazio jersey gave them a morale-boosting victory over fellow strugglers Reggina.

This had incredibly turned into a relegation dogfight, as the Biancocelesti collapsed 1-0 at 10-man Cagliari, while Reggina had renewed hope after an extremely controversial victory over Juventus. Fabio Firmani, Luciano Zauri and Massimo Mutarelli were sidelined for the home team, but the Amaranto had star striker Nicola Amoruso and defender Maurizio Lanzaro suspended. This meant former Lazio benchwarmer Stephen Makinwa, who only made the move in January, returned to the Olimpico looking to prove a point.

Reggina had only lost one of their last five visits to Lazio in Serie A. Rolando Bianchi got a rare start to rest Tommaso Rocchi, but it was Ousmane Dabo who had the first shot on target after 16 minutes with his long-range effort.

Just before the break Goran Pandev was brought down by Salvatore Aronica. Bianchi coolly converted the penalty to give Lazio the lead and seal his first goal in a Biancocelesti jersey.

Emil Hallfredsson tried to fight back, but Marco Ballotta was equal to his header and right-foot strike.

Straight after the restart Reggina had a good opportunity, but Emanuele Cascione failed to get his header from a corner on target. Moments later both Cascione and Makinwa just missed Hallfredsson's inviting cross from the right.

Rocchi replaced Bianchi and had the chance to double their lead late on when he ran on to Pandev's through ball, but even after skipping past the goalkeeper he was denied by a Valdez goalline clearance.

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Lazio: Ballotta; De Silvestri, Siviglia, Cribari, Radu; Dabo (Mudingayi 60), Ledesma, Manfredini; Meghni (Mauri 57); Pandev, Bianchi (Rocchi 75)

Reggina: Campagnolo; Cirillo, Valdez, Aronica; Alvarez (Barreto 46), Missiroli, Cascione, Costa (Cozza 75); Vigiani (Brienza 56), Hallfredsson; Makinwa

Ref: Saccani

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