MD11: Lazio - Udinese

[Jager]

Serie A Week 11 - 12/11/06 (14.00 UK)

Lazio - Udinese
Stadio Olimpico

An out-of-shape Lazio are hosting a sorry Udinese at the Stadio Olimpico in a match that could see one of these teams earn a long awaited victory. Lazio’s last win was back in Week 5 when the Biancocelesti defeated Torino 4-0. Udinese’s situation is not much better – the last time they gained three points was in the away tie at Parma in Week 6.

Last season’s clash ended all square. After an early opening goal from Tommaso Rocchi, Vincenzo Iaquinta equalised with a penalty. Udinese are seventh on the table while Lazio are 13th – both teams were in better positions this time last year.

Coach Delio Rossi is hoping that Guglielmo Stendardo will be ready for Sunday’s clash, while Valon Behrami is still recovering from an injury. Brazilian defender Cribari and Belgian midfielder Gaby Mudingay will miss the match due to suspensions.

The Argentine Cristian Ledesma will make is comeback after a week’s ban. Rocchi and Goran Pandev will probably form the attacking duo with Stephan Makinwa, who is not ready to play a full match yet, sitting on the bench.

From this weekend, Udinese boss Giovanni Galeone will be able to count on a new member of the staff – Massimiliano Allegri. After last week’s defeat, which was described by Galeone as a “disastrous match”, President Gino Pozzo has decided to hire Allegri, who was sacked just two weeks ago as Grosseto Coach – a strange decision that could upset Galeone.

Three players are suspended for this tie in the shape of defender Cesare Natali, Ghanaian midfielder Sulley Muntari and star man Totò Di Natale. The young Andrea Coda may replace Natali in defence, while the midfield trio should, once again, be formed by Christian Obodo, Giuseppe D’Agostino and Giampiero Pinzi.

In the Bianconeri attacking trident, Paulo Barreto and Gyan Asamoah will most probably support Vincenzo Iaqunta. However, Galeone may change his mind about the formation at the last minute, replacing either Asamoah or Barretto with a midfielder to give more solidity to the team. In this case the choice is between Raffaele De Martino and Andrea Dossena.

Man on fire: Goran Pandev (Lazio) – The striker from Macedonia marked his comeback in Week 10 with a smart goal and a good performance.

Last season: Lazio 1-1 Udinese

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

Lazio (probable): Peruzzi, Oddo, Stendardo, Siviglia, Zauri; Mutarelli, Ledesma, Baronio, Mauri; Rocchi, Pandev

Udinese (probable): De Sanctis; D.Zenoni, Coda, Zapata, Felipe; D’Agostino, Obodo, Pinzi; Barreto, Asamoah, Iaquinta

Ref: To follow...

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

[kennethlindheim]

1:0 Tomasso Rocchi (32)
2:0 Stefano Mauri (40)

Half-time!

[kennethlindheim]

3:0 Stefano Mauri (74)

Good shot by Mauri. Lazio has been really good today.

[kennethlindheim]

Da Silva Felipe gets red card.

[kennethlindheim]

4:0 Massimo Oddo (79)

Good freekick. The goalkeeper seemed to like it to. Just standing there and enjoing it.

[kennethlindheim]

5:0 Tommaso Rocchi (82)

[Jager]

Ouch.....that is just nasty for Udinese.

Lazio needs some good news.

[Jager]

Lazio 5 - 0 Udinese
Rocchi 33, 83 (L), Mauri 41, 74 (L), Oddo 79 (L)
Stadio Olimpico

Ex-Udinese man Stefano Mauri scored two goals against his old club to revive Lazio's fortunes in a crushing 5-0 result.

Both teams were on disappointing form going into this game, as Lazio were without a win in five and Udinese in four. Emilson Sanchez Cribari and Gaby Mudingayi were suspended for the home side, though Cristian Ledesma returned from his disciplinary action. Antonio Di Natale, Sulley Ali Muntari and Cesare Natali sat out bans for the Friuli outfit.

It was a special match for Goran Pandev, who up until this summer was co-owned by Udinese. Curiously, Lazio last won this fixture in 2003, followed by two draws and a defeat.

The Biancocelesti had a double opportunity on eight minutes. Cristian Ledesma thumped the upright practically from the by-line and goalkeeper Morgan De Sanctis parried Massimo Oddo's follow-up.

Vincenzo Iaquinta's lob beat Angelo Peruzzi, but bounced just wide of the open goal.

Pandev spun round on the six-yard line and brought a tough save out of De Sanctis and Lazio eventually took the lead with a fine goal from Tommaso Rocchi. He sprung the offside trap on Stefano Mauri's through ball and lobbed the goalkeeper despite Coda's attempted goalline clearance.

The Biancocelesti made it 2-0 before the break with Mauri's diving header on an Oddo free kick at the back post.

Guillermo Stendardo's desperate tackle charged down a Gyan Asamoah effort from close range following Oddo's poor clearance.

De Sanctis rushed out to close down Pandev's shot with his chest, but ex-Udinese man Mauri completed his brace with an impressive volley from a poorly-cleared set-piece.

Diaz Felipe saw red for a second bookable offence and could be punished further for insulting the referee and Oddo rounded out the humiliating 4-0 scoreline with a fantastic free kick curled into the top near corner.

Rocchi ended the show with a spectacular solo effort against an Udinese side that had already given up. He picked up the ball in midfield and dribbled past the entire defence before chipping De Sanctis with his weaker left foot.

Lazio: Peruzzi; Zauri, Siviglia, Stendardo, Oddo; Mauri (Makinwa 91), Ledesma, Mutarelli, Firmani (Baronio 80); Pandev (Foggi 70), Rocchi

Udinese: De Sanctis; Motta (Barreto 40), Coda, Zapata, Felipe; Zenoni, Obodo (De Martino 67), Pinzi, D'Agostino; Iaquinta, Asamoah (Montiel 67)

Ref: Bergonzi

Sent off: Felipe 77 (U)

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