MD 6: Lazio - Cagliari

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Lazio - Cagliari
Stadio Olimpico

High-flying Lazio are hosting Cagliari at the Stadio Olimpico hoping to win their fourth match in a row. The Rossoblu still haven’t won a match this season, although the team impressively drew with Inter in Week 5.

This fixture last season ended all square. The two teams have faced each other 21 times at the Olimpico and Lazio are in the lead with 12 victories. Cagliari have managed to win in Rome on just five occasions.

Coach Delio Rossi is hoping that Angelo Peruzzi and Massimo Mutarelli will be ready for Sunday’s clash, while Valon Behrami is still recovering from an injury. Marco Ballota, 42, is likely to replace Peruzzi while Gaby Mudingay should play as a central midfielder.

Captain Massimo Oddo, who scored for Italy against Ukraine, will be in the right-back position. Italy international Stefano Mauri and former Chievo Verona ace Christian Manfredini will play on the wings.

With Stephen Makinwa still out because of injury, Goran Pandev, who performed well against England in last week’s 0-0 draw, and Tommaso Rocchi should form the attacking duo.

Coach Marco Giampaolo will have to do without Michele Ferri and Cristiano Del Grosso - both defenders are injured and still not ready to play the full 90 minutes. Marco Pisano and former Catania Paolo Bianco may find themselves replacing Ferri and Del Grosso in the starting line-up.

Simone Pepe and Mauro Esposito will join David Suazo to form the Rossoblu trident.

President Massimo Cellino, who is impatient to see his team gain their first victory of the campaign, may axe Giampaolo if Cagliari fail to win this match.

Man on fire: David Suazo (Cagliari) – The striker from Honduras enjoys the atmosphere at the Olimpico. Once again he could bless his return to Rome with a great performance.

Last season: Lazio 1-1 Cagliari

Form guide: Lazio (L L W W W) Cagliari (L L D D D)

Lazio (probable): Ballotta; Stendardo, Siviglia, Zauri, Oddo; Mauri, Mudingay, Ledesma, Manfredini; Rocchi, Pandev

Cagliari (probable): Chimenti; Agostani, Pisano, Lopez, Bianco; Conti, Biondini, Colucci; M.Esposito, Pepe, Suazo

Ref: To follow...

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

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Lazio 0 - 0 Cagliari
Stadio Olimpico

Massimo Oddo's record of 14 consecutive successful penalties was ended by Antonio Chimenti as Cagliari held Lazio to a 0-0 draw, but this drab game ended with three dismissals.

The Biancocelesti had a shaky start to the campaign, but went into this tie off the back of three straight wins. Cagliari held Inter to a draw in Week 5, but were yet to celebrate a victory this term.

The hard-line fans in the Curva Nord held a silent protest against the arrest warrants issued for a number of supporters and former President Giorgio Chinaglia this week in an investigation over alleged extortion to push up share prices.

The Biancocelesti had the first chance when Tommaso Rocchi nodded a Massimo Oddo cross over the bar.

Soon after, Paolo Bianco was adjudged to have handled the ball and the referee didn't hesitate in pointing to the spot. Oddo stepped up and saw Antonio Chimenti save the penalty! This is the first spot-kick Oddo has failed to convert in five years, scoring 13 consecutive set-pieces in Serie A plus one for Italy against the Ukraine last week.

Cagliari also threatened with Bianco's header over the bar from a Daniele Conti free kick.

Rocchi fired just wide of the upright on the counter-attack, then the former Empoli striker was cut off from six yards by Chimenti, with Luciano Zauri's follow-up charged down by defenders.

Lazio continued to funnel their attacks through Rocchi with a strike over the bar, while Oddo also fired off target from a poorly cleared corner kick. A powerful but central Roberto Baronio free kick was comfortably held.

Cagliari introduced D'Agostino for Antonio Langella and within 30 seconds the substitute had volleyed Mauro Esposito's cross past the near post.

Lazio poured down the other end, Rocchi combining with Oddo to drill wide and Stendardo's header skimming the upright from a set-piece.

Stendardo was valuable in defence too, anticipating David Suazo on a D'Agostino cut-back, as the Honduras hitman was completely unmarked inside the area.

Soon after, Lopez took a free kick quickly and again Stendardo closed down Suazo from close range.

Igli Tare replaced the ineffective Goran Pandev for Lazio, while ex-Roma youth team player Simone Pepe came on for Suazo.

Esposito ran into the box and his shot was deflected out for a corner, but Stendardo turned another attacking header just wide.

There were more penalty appeals for a Pisano handling offence on Stefano Mauri's effort, although the referee was close by and considered it involuntary, as the arm was across his chest.

Oddo won back the ball in midfield and powered forward, stinging Chimenti's gloves with a fierce strike.

There was still time for controversy in stoppages, as referee De Marco showed substitute Joe Bizera a straight red card for a tackle on Luciano Zauri. However, the replays seem to suggest not only was it not a dangerous tackle, it didn't even appear to be a foul, as he got the ball. Conti also saw red for dissent in his protests, leaving the Sardinians in nine men.

The referee lost control of the game in these final stages, as Oddo was also sent off soon after for dissent after shouting at the linesman. Inevitably, the tension continued after the final whistle with rows breaking out around the pitch.

Lazio: Peruzzi; Oddo, Cribari, Stendardo, Zauri; Manfredini (Belleri 74), Baronio (Mudingayi 77), Ledesma, Mauri; Rocchi, Pandev (Tare 66)

Cagliari: Chimenti; Pisano, Bianco, Lopez (Bizera 78), Agostini; Biondini, Conti, Colucci; Esposito, Suazo (Pepe 71), Langella (D'Agostino 46)

Ref: De Marco

Missed penalty: Oddo 9 (L)

Sent off: Bizera 91 (C), Conti 91 (C), Oddo 93 (L)

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

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Lazio 0 - 0 Cagliari
Stadio Olimpico

Massimo Oddo's record of 14 consecutive successful penalties was ended by Antonio Chimenti as Cagliari held Lazio to a 0-0 draw, but this drab game ended with three dismissals.

The Biancocelesti had a shaky start to the campaign, but went into this tie off the back of three straight wins. Cagliari held Inter to a draw in Week 5, but were yet to celebrate a victory this term.

The hard-line fans in the Curva Nord held a silent protest against the arrest warrants issued for a number of supporters and former President Giorgio Chinaglia this week in an investigation over alleged extortion to push up share prices.

The Biancocelesti had the first chance when Tommaso Rocchi nodded a Massimo Oddo cross over the bar.

Soon after, Paolo Bianco was adjudged to have handled the ball and the referee didn't hesitate in pointing to the spot. Oddo stepped up and saw Antonio Chimenti save the penalty! This is the first spot-kick Oddo has failed to convert in five years, scoring 13 consecutive set-pieces in Serie A plus one for Italy against the Ukraine last week.

Cagliari also threatened with Bianco's header over the bar from a Daniele Conti free kick.

Rocchi fired just wide of the upright on the counter-attack, then the former Empoli striker was cut off from six yards by Chimenti, with Luciano Zauri's follow-up charged down by defenders.

Lazio continued to funnel their attacks through Rocchi with a strike over the bar, while Oddo also fired off target from a poorly cleared corner kick. A powerful but central Roberto Baronio free kick was comfortably held.

Cagliari introduced D'Agostino for Antonio Langella and within 30 seconds the substitute had volleyed Mauro Esposito's cross past the near post.

Lazio poured down the other end, Rocchi combining with Oddo to drill wide and Stendardo's header skimming the upright from a set-piece.

Stendardo was valuable in defence too, anticipating David Suazo on a D'Agostino cut-back, as the Honduras hitman was completely unmarked inside the area.

Soon after, Lopez took a free kick quickly and again Stendardo closed down Suazo from close range.

Igli Tare replaced the ineffective Goran Pandev for Lazio, while ex-Roma youth team player Simone Pepe came on for Suazo.

Esposito ran into the box and his shot was deflected out for a corner, but Stendardo turned another attacking header just wide.

There were more penalty appeals for a Pisano handling offence on Stefano Mauri's effort, although the referee was close by and considered it involuntary, as the arm was across his chest.

Oddo won back the ball in midfield and powered forward, stinging Chimenti's gloves with a fierce strike.

There was still time for controversy in stoppages, as referee De Marco showed substitute Joe Bizera a straight red card for a tackle on Luciano Zauri. However, the replays seem to suggest not only was it not a dangerous tackle, it didn't even appear to be a foul, as he got the ball. Conti also saw red for dissent in his protests, leaving the Sardinians in nine men.

The referee lost control of the game in these final stages, as Oddo was also sent off soon after for dissent after shouting at the linesman. Inevitably, the tension continued after the final whistle with rows breaking out around the pitch.

Lazio: Peruzzi; Oddo, Cribari, Stendardo, Zauri; Manfredini (Belleri 74), Baronio (Mudingayi 77), Ledesma, Mauri; Rocchi, Pandev (Tare 66)

Cagliari: Chimenti; Pisano, Bianco, Lopez (Bizera 78), Agostini; Biondini, Conti, Colucci; Esposito, Suazo (Pepe 71), Langella (D'Agostino 46)

Ref: De Marco

Missed penalty: Oddo 9 (L)

Sent off: Bizera 91 (C), Conti 91 (C), Oddo 93 (L)

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