MD3: Chievo - Lazio

[Jager]

Chievo - Lazio
Stadio Bentegodi

Chievo and Lazio will both be hoping to kick start their seasons after a poor opening two weeks when they meet at the Stadio Marc’Antonio Bentegodi. While they each harboured European ambitions going into the current campaign, neither side has so far managed the performances worthy of such high aims.

Chievo have been particularly disappointing following their early elimination from the Champions League and the subsequent departure of star striker Amauri to Palermo. The Brazilian could be especially missed for this game due to the absence of fellow forward Sergio Pellissier through injury.

Add to that the injury to Lorenzo D’Anna, Luciano’s suspension for his red card against Empoli and Victor Obinna’s four-month ban, and the Clivensi line-up has a slightly makeshift look to it. Giuseppe Scurto, Simone Tiribocchi and Salvatore Bruno are expected to deputise in their place.

However, Chievo Coach Beppe Pillon will be more concerned with his team’s overall form than the individual players. On paper, opening fixtures against relegation candidates Siena and Empoli looked like an agreeable way to start the season. But in reality just one point from a maximum six against two of Serie A’s weaker sides has set early alarm bells ringing in Verona.

Those bells are also starting to be heard by the Lazio fans. While city rivals Roma have stormed to the top of the table the Biancocelesti have struggled early on. Admittedly in Milan and Palermo they have faced two of the early pace-setters, but with an 11-point penalty to make up they can’t afford to go another week without getting some points on the board.

With Valon Behrami and Massimo Mutarelli both still injured, Gaby Mudingayi and Christian Manfredini should both start. Winger Manfredini should be especially keen to impress on his return to the ground where he made his reputation. The Bentegodi is also familiar for Lazio defenders Massimo Oddo and Sebastiano Siviglia, who both made their top-flight debuts for Chievo’s city rivals Verona.

Man on fire: Tommaso Rocchi (Lazio) – The fan favourite has been on excellent form since his call-up to the Italy squad and scored his first goal of the season on Sunday.

Last season: Chievo 2-2 Lazio

Form guide: Chievo (L D - - -) Lazio (L L - - -)

Chievo (probable): Squizzi; Moro, Mandelli, Scurto, Lanna; Semioli, Giunti, Brighi, Marcolini; Tiribocchi, Bruno

Lazio (probable): Peruzzi; Oddo, Siviglia, Stendardo, Zauri; Manfredini, Mudingayi, Ledesma, Mauri; Rocchi, Makinwa

Ref: To follow...

http://www.channel4.com/sport/footba...7/chi-laz.html

[Daniele]

Lazio 1 - Chievo 0, a much needed victory, hopefully gets the biancocelesti going. It was a penalty kick by Oddo I believe.

[Jager]

Serie A Week 3 - 20/9/06 (19.30 UK)

Chievo 0 - 1 Lazio
Oddo pen 63 (L)
Stadio Bentegodi

Massimo Oddo converted a penalty to give Lazio their first points at the Stadio Bentegodi.

These two sides have had stuttering starts to the season and Lazio were still looking to get off the -11 mark inflicted by the Calciopoli judges. Luciano and Obinna were suspended for the Flying Donkeys.

Michele Marcolini and Federico Giunti turned early efforts over the bar.

Massimo Oddo was always dangerous from set-pieces and tested Lorenzo Squizzi's reflexes with two free kicks in the first half.

Goran Pandev disappointed against Palermo midweek, but his fierce strike was well parried by Squizzi. There were penalty appeals before the break for an apparent foul on Stefano Mauri.

Ex-Roma defender Giuseppe Scurto held back Pandev in a curious hold, grabbing him at the front of his shorts, and the referee awarded a penalty. Lazio captain Oddo rolled the confident spot-kick past Squizzi to give the Biancocelesti the lead.

Angelo Peruzzi performed a fine save on a glancing Sergio Pellissier header, but it was mostly Lazio in attack and Squizzi kept out Tommaso Rocchi's acrobatic volley.

Pellissier's potential equaliser was disallowed for offside and in the final stages the Chievo goalkeeper kept out Mauri's attempt.

Chievo: Squizzi; Moro (Marchesetti 85), Mandelli, Scurto, Lanna; Semioli, Brighi, Giunti, Marcolini (Kosowski 68); Bruno (Godeas 64), Pellissier

Lazio: Peruzzi; Oddo, Stendardo, Siviglia, Zauri; Manfredini, Mudingayi, Ledesma, Mauri; Pandev (Makinwa 78), Rocchi (Belleri 90)

Ref: Banti

http://www.channel4.com/sport/footba...a/alatest.html

It was, and an away win to boot.