MD13: Lazio - Ascoli - TalkSoccer

**Jager** · 25-11-2006, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Lazio - Ascoli
Stadio Olimpico

Ascoli will have to be wary when they visit the Stadio Olimpico to face an on form Lazio. Things have started to look rosy for the Biancocelesti in recent weeks and they will be eager to continue their mini revival in this match.

After a less than emphatic win things have suddenly turned around for Lazio. Ever since the reduction of their Calciopoli points penalty there has been a new sense of optimism around the capital club. That change in attitude has also been clearly visible on the pitch. Nine goals and two wins in their last two matches shows they have the ability to challenge for honours in Serie A.

They may still be hanging around in mid-table, but the close nature of the top half means they are only one point away from the European places. Those top six spots will certainly be their aim and it will be important that they can maintain their excellent current form for as long as possible.

Lazio Coach Delio Rossi will have to do without injured duo Christian Manfredini and Sebastiano Siviglia, but much more concerning will be the suspensions to captain Massimo Oddo and playmaker Cristian Ledesma. Those two have been key figures for the Biancocelesti so far and could be badly missed. The fans will just be hoping their absences won’t damage the team’s momentum.

Things have not been going quite so well for their opponents Ascoli this season though. The Bianconeri are now hovering precariously over the relegation zone, with just one point currently separating them from the drop. After the axing of boss Attilio Tesser, his replacement Nedo Sonetti will need to work fast to turn things around.

While recent draws with Roma and Fiorentina have shown there is potential there, the defeats to Siena and Empoli have shown the side’s severe problems. While defensively sound Ascoli have really struggled going forward and it is still hard to see where the goals are going to come from.

That situation will not be helped by the absence of veteran striker Marco Delvecchio. To make matters worse, new Coach Nedo Sonetti will have to do without a number of other players, including the equally experienced Paolo Zanetti. Also missing are defenders Aleksandar Lukovic, Paolo Foglio, Marco Pecorari along with reserves Massimo Gotti and Dimitrios Eleftheropoulos.

Man on fire: Stefano Mauri (Lazio) – Four goals in two matches is a more than a healthy record for any striker, let alone a midfielder. His recent Italy recall may have been a bit of an anticlimax, but Mauri’s form and confidence are both sky high at the moment.

Last season: Lazio 4-1 Ascoli

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

Lazio (probable): Peruzzi; Belleri, Stendardo, Cribari, Zauri; Mutarelli, Baronio, Mudingayi; Mauri; Pandev, Rocchi

Ascoli (probable): Pagliuca; Minieri, Cudini, Nastase, Pesce; Fontana; Fini, Boudianski, Galloppa, Guberti; Bjelanovic

Ref: To follow...

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