MD2: Sampdoria - Lazio 2/9/07 (19.30 UK) - TalkSoccer

**Jager** · 29-08-2007, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Serie A Week 2 - 2/9/07 (19.30 UK)
Sampdoria - Lazio

Stadio Ferraris

It may only be Week 2, but this Stadio Luigi Ferraris encounter between Sampdoria and Lazio could prove so important in the race for European football.

There is an air of quiet confidence radiating from the Blucerchiati faithful after a pre-season of big changes. New boss Walter Mazzarri is exactly the right man to put an end to the agonising mediocrity of recent times and a Week 1 win away to Siena was the perfect demonstration.

A year ago Doria would undoubtedly have followed a refreshing victory on their travels with a no-show at home, now Mazzarri’s task is to instil consistency in a side that so regularly flatter to deceive. If Samp are to meet their summer objective of European football they must take maximum points in games like this.

Momentum can be a fickle force in football. The Biancocelesti have suffered a miserable start to the campaign with a glut of injuries and were held by Torino in their opener as they fretted about a midweek trip to Bucharest.

Now, after a heroic fight-back in Romania to secure Champions League football, Coach Delio Rossi’s men will feel the belief flooding back ahead of this tough test. However, the injury crisis hasn’t dissipated and a draw would be far from disastrous if the Aquile pick up all three at home to Empoli in Week 3.

While there is a good case for dividing the points, the two sides haven’t shared the spoils in their last six meetings and will each feel they have the upper hand.

The hosts are almost certain to stick with the 3-4-3 formation that Mazzarri has such fondness for. Cristian Zenoni and Christian Maggio are vying for the right wing role, but the squad looks thin in other areas. Pietro Accardi, Emiliano Bonazzoli, Daniele Gastaldello and Mirko Pieri make up a daunting injury list. There will be no debut for Antonio Cassano yet, but fellow summer signing Vincenzo Montella is set to take a seat on the bench.

Rossi can be expected to call upon 19-year-old defender Lorenzo Di Silvestri to make only his fourth Serie A appearance after he shone against Dinamo Bucharest. Guglielmo Stendardo, Sebastiano Siviglia, Stefano Mauri and Aleksandar Kolarov are all still sidelined and are joined by French stopper Mobido Diakhite, who fractured a tibia last weekend.

Regardless of whether Uruguayan goalkeeping starlet Fernando Musiera signs, 43-year-old Marco Ballotta is favourite to start between the posts.

Keep an eye on: Tommaso Rocchi (Lazio) – Dependable striker was the hero in Europe with a timely brace and also opened his Serie A account last weekend. A third successive 16-goal haul is on the cards.

Last season: Sampdoria 2-0 Lazio

Form guide: Sampdoria (- - - - W) Lazio (- - - - D)

Sampdoria (probable): Castellazzi; Campagnaro, Sala, Lucchini; Zenoni, Palombo, Volpi, Ziegler; Delvecchio, Bellucci, Caracciolo

Lazio (probable): Ballotta; De Silvestri, Scaloni, Cribari, Zauri; Mudingayi, Ledesma, Mutarelli, Del Nero; Pandev, Rocchi

Ref: To follow...

channel4.com - Football Italia

**Jager** · 02-09-2007, 07:32 PM

Its 0-0, very even game. We hve a good crowd today, I have a feeling Serie A attendance figures will be higher this year.

**Jager** · 02-09-2007, 07:39 PM

Doria taking it to Lazio now, almost scored. Ten minutes into second half.

Sampdoria Hammer · 02-09-2007, 07:44 PM

Forza Doria. Seems we are playing well. Hopefully Montella and Cassano will be on soon.

**Jager** · 02-09-2007, 07:50 PM

Montella is on. I'm still waiting for Cassano to come on, I wish he started.

Sampdoria Hammer · 02-09-2007, 07:51 PM

We need 3 points here...our home form is always important, as we don't ever seem to do as well away from home.

**Jager** · 02-09-2007, 07:55 PM

Sampdoria has been hit by the money crunch as other clubs in Serie A. But I see promise, losing Qaud wasn't good, but they have added Montella and Cassano, so they are better off with more dynamic.

Though I question the judgement of not playing Cassano, he must lack form still. Lets hope he plays in the second, as I'm not a Cassano or Doria fan, but having a "hot" Cassano scoring goals in Serie A, is vital for a our league.

Sampdoria Hammer · 02-09-2007, 07:57 PM

Hehe...you don't like us?

I think he'll bring him in eventually. We have so many attacking options.

**Jager** · 02-09-2007, 08:00 PM

I don't like or hate, just neutral.

Though I do remember your scudetto success a number of years ago. That was a great team.

**Jager** · 02-09-2007, 08:01 PM

Lazio keeper Ballotta looks like he's 50!

**Jager** · 02-09-2007, 08:04 PM

We have about ten minutes left, its still 0-0. Both teams are going for it now, exchanging chances.

Finishing has been autrocious, with a lot of long balls which I don't like.

Sampdoria Hammer · 02-09-2007, 08:09 PM

Red Card Ziegler. FFS!

**Jager** · 02-09-2007, 08:10 PM

oh no, Zigler picks up his second yellow and he is off on a very lazy back tackle on a Lazio player.

Doria down to ten men, lets see if Lazio bring on some guns now to capitalise.

Sampdoria Hammer · 02-09-2007, 08:18 PM

Sammarco...oh dear.

**Jager** · 02-09-2007, 08:20 PM

I can't believe he missed it. Why chip it in that position?? Nail the fuker.

Doria could of won it. Where was the Lazio defense???