CL Qualifying 07-08: Lazio - Dinamo Bucharest

[Jager]

Lazio to face Bucharest Friday 3 August, 2007

Lazio will take on Romanian outfit Dinamo Bucharest later this month for a place in the Champions League group stage.

The Biancocelesti will be quietly confident of overcoming their unseeded opponents when they meet on August 14/15 and 28/29, with the first leg being played at the Stadio Olimpico.

However, Bucharest have won their national championship on 18 occasions and are no strangers to the continental stage.

Should they emerge victorious the capital boys will be taking their place among Europe’s top 32 clubs for the first time since the 2003-04 season when they were led by Roberto Mancini.

Elsewhere, calcio enthusiasts will have one eye on the second round qualifying matches taking place next week.

If Giovanni Trapattoni’s Red Bull Salzburg side overcome Latvian outfit FK Ventspils then he could meet Cristiano Lucarelli’s Shakhtar Donetsk if the Ukrainians can beat FC Pyunik.

Six former winners of the prestigious trophy were involved in the draw, with Benfica, Ajax and Celtic among the seeded teams, along with Liverpool and UEFA Cup holders Sevilla.

The winners of the 16 third qualifying round ties will go through to September's group stage, where they will join the 16 teams who have automatically qualified.

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[Jager]

Rossi laments Euro draw Friday 3 August, 2007

Lazio Coach Delio Rossi has admitted that today’s Champions League draw wasn’t kind to the capital club.

The Biancocelesti will host Romanian outfit Dinamo Bucharest on August 14-15, while the return leg of the third qualifying round is scheduled for two weeks later.

The winners will progress to the group phase in September along with the 16 teams who have automatically qualified.

“The draw did not favour us,” said Rossi. “They are strong opponents who comfortably won their League last year and have already started their new campaign.

“Furthermore, playing the first match at home is not an advantage, considering the conditions we will have to face in the second leg.

“I also believe that Eastern-European teams are very technical. In any case, at least now we know who our opponents are we can prepare for this challenge in the best possible way.”

Captain Luciano Zauri is also wary of the Romanian outfit, although he believes that his side’s desire could prove to be the difference.

“I know Dinamo Bucharest are a good side and they're fairly experienced when it comes to European football,” the midfielder told the club’s website.

“Eastern players are very strong and they are fit because their League has already started. But we have been looking forward to this match since the end of last season.”

Star striker Tommaso Rocchi, meanwhile, has insisted that he was just happy to be in the draw in the first place.

“I honestly hadn’t thought of who I would have preferred to meet – all the clubs who play the preliminaries are tough opponents,” he said.

“The two matches will be difficult so we must face them with the right determination and the awareness that we can win.

“The friendlies we have played so far have helped us, but these matches with Dinamo have a special meaning. I think we have the qualities needed to achieve the right result.”

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[Jager]

Ledesma sets Euro ultimatum Saturday 4 August, 2007

Cristian Ledesma has warned Lazio that failure to reach the Champions League proper will see him leave for Betis.

The club rejected an offer from Spanish outfit Betis Seville this week, but the matter is not over with yet.

“Ledesma will go to Betis if Lazio do not get through the Champions League preliminary round,” explained agent Vincenzo D’Ippolito.

The Biancocelesti managed to snatch a third-place finish in Serie A last season despite their three-point Calciopoli penalty.

However, their entrance to the group phase of the tournament depends on a preliminary meeting with Dinamo Bucharest.

“Betis have offered Claudio Lotito £14m, but they rejected it as they do not want to lose a player that Coach Delio Rossi considers to be crucial,” added Ledesma’s agent.

“Cristian has refused offers from other clubs to remain consistent in his choices. Next year, though, we will have to renegotiate his contract with Lazio.”

Argentine creative midfielder Ledesma joined the Aquile in 2006 after five seasons at Lecce, scoring two goals in 33 appearances including a sensational strike in the Rome derby.

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[Aladino]

It will be tough for Lazio but if they keep it cool they can at eats get into the group stages. A win at home and no goals conceded is of course vital and that paves the path for them

[darran]

I hate playing against eastern europe teams. The conditions there can be really disastrous at times. Nonetheless, I believe Lazio has more quality and I hope they show it. If we can't win Dinamo Bucharest, we don't deserve to be in the CL.

[Jager]

Rossi's Champions countdown Saturday 11 August, 2007

Lazio Coach Delio Rossi is beginning to feel the pressure ahead of their Champions League preliminary round tie with Dinamo Bucharest.

“We will need a cool head and a burning heart. Where our legs won’t carry us, we need our minds to take us past those obstacles.”

The Biancocelesti have impressed in pre-season friendlies, including a 2-0 win over West Ham United and a 5-2 victory at Southampton, but struggled during the Amsterdam Tournament.

“In any other situation we would be the favourites, but Dinamo are at a more advanced stage of their pre-season training right now.”

The first leg is at the Stadio Olimpico on August 14 with the decider in Romania on August 28.

The Romanian League has already started and last night Dinamo won 3-0 away to Ceahlaul Piatra-Neamt.

“Dinamo have technique, good physical strength and are very organised,” continued Rossi.

“If that wasn’t the case, they would not have won the Romanian Championship ahead of Steaua Bucharest.”

Lazio are the only Italian club in the preliminary round, as Inter, Roma and holders Milan enter the group phase automatically.

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[Jager]

Mutarelli eyes Dinamo danger Sunday 12 August, 2007

Lazio are just days away from their Champions League clash with Dinamo Bucharest, but Massimo Mutarelli sees the trip to Romania as the decider.

“This will be the last game of last season rather than the first of the new term,” insisted the midfielder.

“We cannot wait to face this team, even if the chances of qualifying are 50/50. We have been preparing for the match in the best way possible, although the toughest test will be in the second leg.”

The opener is at the Stadio Olimpico on August 14 and the decider in Bucharest on August 28.

“These are difficult arenas to go and get a result in, but Lazio will always play for the win against any and every opponent.

“We are studying Dinamo. They have the advantage that their season has already started, but we hope to bridge that gap with our superior quality and experience. We have to be careful not to concede on home turf so we can really go for it away.”

The Biancocelesti have done well in pre-season friendlies, but stuttered in the Amsterdam Cup last week.

“Our match fitness is improving,” continued Mutarelli. “We know that we’ll face a long hard season after this, but have always made the most of our team ethic and that is why we can measure up to sides with greater individual skills.

Lazio also realise this is a very different situation to last term, when clubs like Milan and Fiorentina were held back by Calciopoli penalties.

“We are fully aware that if we had all started from scratch, we would never have reached the Champions League. This season we must do our best to live up to that performance, though.”

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[Jager]

Lazio prepare for D-day Monday 13 August, 2007

Lazio midfielder Massimo Mutarelli has high hopes ahead of the Biancocelesti’s crucial Champions League clash with Dinamo Bucharest on Tuesday.

Delio Rossi’s men face a tough test as they host the Romanian champions whose season has already been running for a fortnight.

Mutarelli is well aware of the importance of a clash that could be the difference between a place in Europe’s premier club competition and a consolation UEFA Cup berth.

“We can’t wait to play this game as it could open the door to the Champions League,” the 29-year-old told the club’s official website.

“I don’t know Dinamo very well, but I do know that they will be a tough side to beat and we will need to play in the right way. We are developing as a side, both mentally and physically.

“We know that we have a tough away trip to come, but we have such hunger and that is our weapon that should allow us to progress.”

The capital club will be without striker Simone Inzaghi, who has a left thigh injury, and are also lacking stoppers Sebastiano Siviglia and Mobido Diakite as well as summer signing Mourad Meghni.

Lazio (probable): Ballotta; Scaloni, Stendardo, Cribari, Zauri; Mutarelli, Ledesma, Behrami, Mauri; Rocchi, Pandev

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[Forza_Roma]

HT SCORELINE
Dinamo Bucharest 1-0 Lazio

HT: Lobont neuters Lazio Tuesday 14 August, 2007

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Dinamo Bucharest are leading Lazio 1-0 in their Champions League qualifier, as Bogdan Lobont saved Tommaso Rocchi’s penalty.

The Biancocelesti opened their European campaign at the Stadio Olimpico, hoping for their first group stage appearance since 2003-04, but knew Dinamo were already three games into their domestic season and therefore in much better shape physically.

Mourad Meghni was ruled out, but Tommaso Rocchi recovered in time from a back injury to partner Goran Pandev. Dinamo were missing injured defenders Cosmin Moti and Andrei Margaritescu.

There were appeals from the club, players and Coach before the game to avoid any racist chanting, but that small and “idiotic” section of the supporters – as named by Delio Rossi – insulted the Romanian squad by calling them “gypsies.” There were also some clashes between sets of fans outside the stadium.

On the field Lazio got off to a fine start, as former Fiorentina goalkeeper Bogdan Lobont took two attempts to control a Pandev free kick.

Ex-Parma midfielder Zicu was stretchered off with an injury after just six minutes and made way for Oprita.

Nastase was booked for a foul on Rocchi and the former Empoli striker’s left-foot drive brought a tough save out of Lobont on the counter-attack. Lobont also controlled an Emilson Sanchez Cribari header, as it was all Lazio in the opening stages.

Cribari clashed heads with Radu and, as he was waiting to be replaced by Serbian Under-21 international Aleksandar Kolarov, his 10-man team conceded a goal against the run of play.

Despite the fact they had until this stage only sat back and contained, Dinamo Bucharest took the lead with their first shot on goal. Danciulescu rose above Massimo Mutarelli for a looping header that slotted mercilessly into the very top near corner from a Pulhac cross.

The Biancocelesti poured forward and had a fantastic opportunity to equalise almost immediately. Lobont parried a Kolarov cross into the path of Rocchi, then managed to bat away the follow-up as well.

Moments later substitute Kolarov tested the goalkeeper again with a left-foot rocket, but this left space for the counter and Danciulescu nearly scored a bizarre goal, as Guglielmo Stendardo’s clearance ricocheted off his back and on to the roof of the net.

It was turning into a siege and Lobont flew to save a Cristian Ledesma free kick, earned by the impressive Kolarov, and Rocchi’s effort from the resulting corner.

The third substitution of the opening 33 minutes saw Goian replace former Ascoli defender Nastase in the Dinamo squad.

Kolarov drilled wide, Ledesma’s set-piece hit the wall and Lobont turned away another Kolarov follow-up.

Lazio thought they would finally find a way through when the Norwegian referee pointed to the spot for a Radu handling offence. However, former Fiorentina flop Lobont amazed the Olimpico once again by saving Rocchi’s penalty! The Italians were also furious, as they wanted a red card for what they saw as a blatantly intentional handball.

Marco Ballotta kept out Radu’s effort and Lobont again rushed out to close down Rocchi on the stroke of half-time.

Lazio 0-1 Dinamo Bucharest (Half-Time)
Scorers: Danciulescu 21 (D)
Lazio: Ballotta; Scaloni, Stendardo, Cribari (Kolarov 24), Zauri; Behrami, Ledesma, Mutarelli; Mauri; Rocchi, Pandev
Dinamo Bucharest: Lobont; Blay, Stoican, Nastase (Goian 33), Pulhac; Cristea, Izvoranu, Bratu; Zicu (Oprita 7); Niculescu, Danciulescu
Ref: Øvrebø (Nor)
Missed penalty: Rocchi 38 (L)

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[Forza_Roma]

1-1 But Lazio lose 2 players for the next match!!!!

CL: Lazio lose their Euro heads Tuesday 14 August, 2007

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Lazio shot themselves in the foot for the 1-1 Champions League qualifier with Dinamo Bucharest, missing a penalty and seeing two men sent off.

Tommaso Rocchi had his spot-kick – and several other chances – saved by former Fiorentina goalkeeper Bogdan Lobont in the first leg of the Champions League preliminary round tie before Valon Behrami and Massimo Mutarelli saw red.

To make matters worse, Edmilson Sanchez Cribari suffered a suspected fractured cheekbone and Guglielmo Stendardo was also injured.

The Biancocelesti opened their European campaign at the Stadio Olimpico, hoping for their first group stage appearance since 2003-04, but knew Dinamo were already three games into their domestic season and therefore in much better shape physically.

Mourad Meghni was ruled out, but Rocchi recovered in time from a back injury to partner Goran Pandev. Dinamo were missing injured defenders Cosmin Moti and Andrei Margaritescu.

There were appeals from the club, players and Coach before the game to avoid any racist chanting, but that small and “idiotic” section of the supporters – as named by Delio Rossi – insulted the Romanian squad by calling them “gypsies.” There were also some clashes between sets of fans outside the stadium.

On the field Lazio got off to a fine start, as former Fiorentina goalkeeper Lobont took two attempts to control a Pandev free kick. Ex-Parma midfielder Zicu was stretchered off with an injury after just six minutes and made way for Oprita.

Nastase was booked for a foul on Rocchi and the former Empoli striker’s left-foot drive brought a tough save out of Lobont on the counter-attack. Lobont also controlled a Cribari header, as it was all Lazio in the opening stages.

Cribari clashed heads with Radu and, as he was waiting to be replaced by Serbian Under-21 international Aleksandar Kolarov, his 10-man team conceded a goal against the run of play.

Despite the fact they had until this stage only sat back and contained, Dinamo Bucharest took the lead with their first shot on goal. Danciulescu rose above Mutarelli for a looping header that slotted mercilessly into the very top near corner from a Pulhac cross.

The Biancocelesti poured forward and had a fantastic opportunity to equalise almost immediately. Lobont parried a Kolarov cross into the path of Rocchi, then managed to bat away the follow-up as well.

Moments later substitute Kolarov tested the goalkeeper again with a left-foot rocket, but this left space for the counter and Danciulescu nearly scored a bizarre goal, as Guglielmo Stendardo’s clearance ricocheted off his back and on to the roof of the net.

It was turning into a siege and Lobont flew to save a Cristian Ledesma free kick, earned by the impressive Kolarov, and Rocchi’s effort from the resulting corner.

The third substitution of the opening 33 minutes saw Goian replace former Ascoli defender Nastase in the Dinamo squad.

Kolarov drilled wide, Ledesma’s set-piece hit the wall and Lobont turned away another Kolarov follow-up.

Lazio thought they would finally find a way through when the Norwegian referee pointed to the spot for a Radu handling offence. However, former Fiorentina flop Lobont amazed the Olimpico once again by saving Rocchi’s penalty! The Italians were also furious, as they wanted a red card for what they saw as a blatantly intentional handball.

Marco Ballotta kept out Radu’s effort and Lobont again rushed out to close down Rocchi on the stroke of half-time.

Lorenzo De Silvestri replaced the injured Stendardo for the second half and Pandev fired off target from distance straight after the restart.

Dinamo were more confident and Ballotta had to tip a Cristea left-foot screamer over the bar, but Lazio finally equalised on 54 minutes. Mutarelli, who had been the makeshift central defender during the goal, rose to nod in a cross from 19-year-old substitute De Silvestri.

The teenager impressed on his European debut and had a shot from the edge of the area charged down. Summer signing from Brescia Simone Del Nero replaced Stefano Mauri for a more attacking approach.

Pandev has been in stunning form during the summer friendlies, but he wasted a great chance by squeezing his left-foot finish and turning it past the post.

Lobont seemed almost invincible, as he managed to instinctively beat away a Ledesma strike deflected off Rocchi.

However, Lazio were left in 10 men for the final 20 minutes, as Valon Behrami was shown a straight red card for a late tackle and Mutarelli was booked for protesting against the decision. Tempers flared further as Rocchi was halted for an incorrect offside decision and Pandev insisted there was another handling offence inside the Dinamo area.

Matters got even worse for Delio Rossi’s men, as Mutarelli picked up a second yellow card and left Lazio in nine men. Both the midfielder and Behrami will obviously be suspended for the second leg. So will Goian, who had his second booking for Dinamo Bucharest in the final minute of a fiery encounter.

The second leg is in Bucharest on August 28.

Lazio 1-1 Dinamo Bucharest
Scorers: Danciulescu 21 (D), Mutarelli 54 (L)
Lazio: Ballotta; Scaloni, Stendardo (De Silvestri 46), Cribari (Kolarov 24), Zauri; Behrami, Ledesma, Mutarelli; Mauri (Del Nero 63); Rocchi, Pandev
Dinamo Bucharest: Lobont; Blay, Stoican, Nastase (Goian 33), Pulhac; Cristea, Izvoranu, Bratu; Zicu (Oprita 7); Niculescu (Chiacu 75), Danciulescu
Ref: Øvrebø (Nor)
Missed penalty: Rocchi 38 (L)
Sent off: Behrami 73 (L), Mutarelli 86 (L), Goian 89 (D)

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[TheDevil]

disastrous result at home
however they dominated even when reduced
they can get a result in hungary

[Jager]

Too bad for Lazio, but they can do it. All is not lost.

[Jager]

Rossi keeps Champions League faith Tuesday 14 August, 2007

Delio Rossi believes Lazio still have a 50 per cent chance of reaching the Champions League after their disastrous first leg draw.

“Far too much happened tonight, between injuries all in the same area of the squad and unlucky moments, but the team played well,” said the Coach.

The 1-1 result at the Stadio Olimpico means his men must go for the win away to Dinamo Bucharest on August 28, but will be without Massimo Mutarelli and Valon Behrami following their dismissals.

Edmilson Sanchez Cribari is also a major doubt, as he went off during the first half with a suspected fractured cheekbone after a clash of heads. He has been taken to hospital for X-Rays.

“We were very unfortunate, as all Dinamo did was defend and that was it. I must thank my players, as they understood immediately how important their efforts were. But the story isn’t over yet and we are still at 50-50 for qualification.”

Lazio certainly shot themselves in the foot, especially when Tommaso Rocchi saw his first half penalty saved by former Fiorentina goalkeeper Bogdan Lobont.

“It seemed like a voluntary handling offence to me, which would make it a red card, and I thought there was another penalty in the second half. In any case, it’s difficult to tell for sure from the bench,” said Rossi.

The Biancocelesti also lost Guglielmo Stendardo and Stefano Mauri to injury before ending the game with nine men.

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