MD7:Lazio vs Fiorentina - TalkSoccer

**Jager** · 12-10-2005, 08:58 PM

The game of the week in Serie A in my opinion. Two sides that are challengers for fourth place, will meet.

Quote:

Serie A Week 7 - 16/10/05 (14.00 UK)
Lazio - Fiorentina

Stadio Olimpico

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High-flying Fiorentina take on a Lazio side who have a 100 per cent record at their home stadium. The Biancocelesti have won all three games at the Stadio Olimpico, including an impressive 4-2 victory against Palermo. Although they are currently just tenth in the League, only their opponents in this match have scored more goals at home this season. In fact, the Viola are the most lethal side in Serie A. But outside of the Artemio Franchi their form has been much more inconsistent.

Fiorentina’s Stefano Fiore and Giuseppe Pancaro are sure to be hoping for a good result against their former club. While Pancaro may miss out on the chance to play against the side where he won the Scudetto in 2000 due to the recent form of Manuel Pasqual, Fiore is sure to be given a chance after his impressive displays so far this season. But most eyes – including those of the Lazio defenders – will be focused firmly on Luca Toni. The Viola striker has been possibly the best player in Serie A during the current campaign, scoring six goals in as many games as well as a hat-trick for Italy against Belarus.

Lazio are still without Roberto Baronio but more worryingly captain Aprecido Cesar is still out and could be missing for some time. Igli Tare does return, but the form of Goran Pandev means he may have to wait a little longer before making his first Serie A appearance for his new club. Fiorentina Coach Cesare Prandelli has an almost injury free squad to choose from after the return of defender Christian Maggio. The only absentee is long-term doubt Guilherme Do Prado.

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Lazio (probable): Peruzzi; Oddo, Siviglia, Cribari, Zauri; Behrami, Mudingayi, Liverani, Manfredini; Pandev, Rocchi

Fiorentina (probable): Frey; Ujfalusi, Di Loreto, Gamberini, Pasqual; Fiore, Donadel, Brocchi, Jorgensen; Bojinov; Toni

Ref: To folllow

Rosa · 12-10-2005, 09:10 PM

Lazio, challenegers for 4th place?
how, why and how?!

**Jager** · 12-10-2005, 09:34 PM

They are currently ahead of Roma, and in my opinion playing as a team, with limited resources. Not too mention you have way more talent than them. If they had a few more better players, they would be a force.

Remember, they haven't signed any one, and are basically playing with primavera graduates.

**azzurri** · 12-10-2005, 09:55 PM

playing as a team is what differentiates them from Roma. 4th place is a bit of an exaggeration, i doubt they will finish that.

TheDevil · 12-10-2005, 10:56 PM

Game of the week for sure, a draw would not surprise me.

**sinoy1** · 13-10-2005, 12:40 AM

WTF....just cause they have oddo and perruzi and have SOME stability they are considered contenders....its LAZIO..L..A..Z......I......O! good luck wit fourth place...maybe 10th or 11th

Rosa · 13-10-2005, 02:29 PM

20th hopefully

They've had a few decent results but they haven't actually been been playing well. And they're LAZIO 4th? 'do me a favour!'

ParmaKing · 13-10-2005, 11:32 PM

Lazio is far more organized than Roma.

TheDevil · 17-10-2005, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Lazio 1 - 0 Fiorentina
Zauri 82 (L)
Stadio Olimpico

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Luciano Zauri's late goal grabbed victory for Lazio, although Fiorentina were frustrated by an incredible Angelo Peruzzi.

The Viola tested their ambitions at the Stadio Olimpico against a Lazio side that was looking to recover from a 3-0 defeat at Udinese. It was an emotional moment for Giuseppe Pancaro and Stefano Fiore, who wore the Biancocelesti jersey for several years.

Lazio had the first real chance when Tommaso Rocchi ran on to Fabio Liverani's through ball and brought a tough save out of Sebastien Frey.

Manuel Pasqual's audacious free kick was fingertipped over the bar, then Luca Toni just failed to get his head on the end of Pancaro's cross.

Giampaolo Pazzini and Marco Di Loreto both turned headers over the bar for the visitors, while a Stendardo defensive error nearly left Angelo Peruzzi stranded.

On the stroke of half-time, Frey flew to palm out a fine Valon Behrami effort from the edge of the box. After the break, Liverani lost the ball in midfield and a hopeful Martin Jorgensen lob was off target.

Fiore drilled just wide of the far post and Peruzzi required two tricky interventions to stop crosses reaching the unmarked Toni.

Lazio again had probably the best chance, though, as Rocchi sprung the offside trap on 68 minutes, but Frey used his instinct to beat away the powerful finish.

The Biancocelesti were taking control in the latter stages and both Zauri and Goran Pandev had shots charged down in quick succession.

The goal was in the air and Lazio broke through with nine minutes to go. Frey could only spill Manfredini's effort from the edge of the box and Zauri pounced on the loose ball to tap in from a tight angle.

There was more bad news for Fiorentina, who saw Alessandro Gamberini stretchered off in the closing stages.

Veteran goalkeeper Peruzzi has certainly earned his Azzurri recall, as he showed incredible reflexes to keep out Valeri Bojinov's close-range header with a one-handed save.

Moments later Peruzzi performed another fantastic block, as Toni spun round his marker and aimed a powerful low shot towards the goal. Lazio also went close with Frey and Christian Brocchi combining to keep out Pandev, then Toni's angled drive went just wide in a passionate stoppage-time tirade.

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Lazio: Peruzzi; Oddo, Stendardo, Cribari, Zauri; Behrami, Dabo, Liverani, Cesar (Manfredini 69); Di Canio (Pandev 58), Rocchi (S Inzaghi 80)

Fiorentina: Frey; Ujfalusi, Di Loreto, Gamberini (Dainelli 83), Pancaro; Fiore, Donadel, Brocchi, Pasqual (Bojinov 75); Pazzini (Jorgensen 46), Toni

Ref: Rizzoli

Well, Fiorentina failed this test. And Lazio get valuable win in my opinion. Still think they can't finish fourth?

**sinoy1** · 17-10-2005, 12:15 PM

well this shut me up. go lazio.......

Rosa · 17-10-2005, 03:59 PM

If lazio finish fourth, god the world will be a mess.

**Jager** · 17-10-2005, 08:06 PM

I told you people. Its still early. Palermo and Fiorentina need some road wins, to get to the next level.

Rosa · 17-10-2005, 08:36 PM

always hard to win at the olimipco, espeically if you're roma