CL: Olympiacos vs Lazio 2007-09-18 - TalkSoccer

barracuda · 13-09-2007, 07:31 PM

Lazio begins their CL group phase on tuesday away vs Olympiacos.

Olympiacos hasn't fair well in the last few years in the CL, ending up at the bottom of the table the last two seasons. Lazio on the other hand have been absent from the CL the last 3 seasons.

Let's hope for a great game

**dukeofdavinci** · 17-09-2007, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Rossi ready for Greek epic Monday 17 September, 2007

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lazio face a daunting test when they visit Greek champions Olympiakos in their Champions League opener on Tuesday, but Coach Delio Rossi is ready.

The Biancocelesti squeezed past Romanian side Dinamo Bucharest in the third qualifying round to earn a place in Group C with Real Madrid and Werder Bremen.

Having only managed three draws so far this term, the Stadio Olimpico faithful could be forgiven for approaching their European adventure with some trepidation, but Aquile boss Rossi is quietly confident.

“The game against Olympiakos is full of hidden dangers, but we are going there to win,” the Rimini native insisted.

“I have a hard-working team that isn’t playing brilliantly at the moment but will sooner or later reach top form and we are getting towards that.

“Last year we had the same number of points as we did now, but we were playing worse as we had already lost two games. You can see the glass as half empty if you want, but this Lazio side deserves credit.”

Lazio squad: Ballotta, Baronio, Cribari, Del Nero, De Silvestri, Kolarov, Ledesma, Makinwa, Manfredini, Meghni, Mauri, Mudingayi, Musiera, Mutarelli, Pandev, Rocchi, Scaloni, Stendardo, Tare, Zauri

judging by their domestic form, it will be a good stating point for them if they can secure a point or even better 3 pts after all the years of absences.

**Jager** · 18-09-2007, 05:13 AM

I'm predicting a win for some reason. I think they will surprise in this opening game, then fall back to earth.

**Jager** · 19-09-2007, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Champions League, Gp C Matchday 1 - 18/9/07 (19.45)
Olympiakos 1 - 1 Lazio
Galletti 55 (O), Zauri 77 (L)
Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium

Luciano Zauri's controversial goal secured a precious away point in Athens for Lazio, holding Olympiakos 1-1.

The Biancocelesti opened their Champions League campaign in the silence of Athens, as the game was played behind closed doors due to crowd trouble in last season's match with Shakhtar Donetsk. Lazio were dealing with an injury crisis, but welcomed Stefano Mauri back and gave a rare start to Under-21 international Lorenzo Di Silvestri.

The home side had the first chance after six minutes when Djordjevic met a Torossidis cross from the right, but turned it over the bar. Lazio were not shy at the start and Nikopolidis had to tip a Cristian Ledesma free kick out for a corner.

Goran Pandev wasted a promising move and Lomana LuaLua's swerving effort was comfortably gathered by Ballotta.

Macedonian Pandev made another costly error by hesitating on the counter-attack, then his weak finish failed to trouble Nikopolidis. He set up Mauri in the area, but the former Udinese Trequartista was closed down as he pulled the trigger.

On 36 minutes Ballotta showed age has not withered his instincts, as he performed a crucial reaction save on Galletti's right-foot screamer.

After the break Olympiakos were a little more ambitious and Ballotta did well to get a dangerous Antzas header under control.

The Greek side finally broke the deadlock on 55 minutes. Galletti ran on to a Djordjevic through ball, dribbled round the helpless Ballotta and deposited into an empty net.

This raised their confidence and LuaLua's effort was deflected out for a corner, while Torosidis couldn't get the final touch to a set-piece. Lazio were struggling at this juncture, so Massimo Mutarelli replaced the not 100 per cent fit Mauri.

Ballotta was under pressure and flapped away a Patsatzoglu cross-shot from the right, while Djordjevic fired over. Christian Manfredini's left-foot strike was off target and he made way for Simone Del Nero.

Ledesma's deadball situations were the Biancocelesti's best chances and Stoltidis prevented Guglielmo Stendardo from turning in a free kick.

Lazio eventually got their equaliser on 77 minutes in controversial circumstances. Full-back Luciano Zauri thumped a right-foot drive in at the near post, but there were suspicions of offside when he gathered Pandev's intelligent disguised pass.

Olympiakos introduced former Juventus man Darko Kovacevic and Pandev failed to truly trouble Nikopolidis.

Just four minutes from time Pandev had another excellent chance to give his side the lead, as he sprung the offside trap and unleashed a right-foot finish, but Nikopolidis stuck out a leg to maintain the 1-1 result.

They kept up the pressure and Tommaso Rocchi also tested Nikopolidis to turn out for a corner.

channel4.com - Football Italia

**Jager** · 19-09-2007, 08:02 AM

TalkSoccer Media Player

Lazio highlights after the Milan ones.

**Jager** · 19-09-2007, 08:03 AM

Rossi blames injury woes Tuesday 18 September, 2007

Delio Rossi insists Lazio would have beaten Olympiakos had they been in better physical shape.

“We wasted two or three good chances in the first half that a fit Stefano Mauri would have buried,” he said of the 1-1 draw in Athens.

“The team hung on relatively well in the circumstances. We feared Lomana LuaLua’s pace and with a few players on bookings they were afraid to tackle him.

“I am satisfied, though, as it is not easy for a team to make its Champions League debut, fight back from a goal down and have several opportunities to win it.”

Valon Behrami was suspended, adding to an injury crisis in Athens, and many of the Biancocelesti were making their Champions League debuts.

“We have everything we need to be content. We are in the Champions League and have not lost yet all season. Many of our players have been injured for a long time and we are slowly getting back to our old selves. One can improve with the right spirit and we are getting there.”

Tommaso Rocchi disappointed with only one real shot on goal in the final minutes, but Rossi looked at the squad as a whole.

“Rocchi played his part, just as the others did. We are a team that cannot afford to be lazy. We have certain characteristics and have to remain focused at all times.”

The atmosphere also did not help, as the game was played behind closed doors due to crowd trouble by Olympiakos last term.

“If the team had a few less fitness worries tonight, they would have won the match. It is not easy in the Champions League when you go behind on your debut, especially when there is no crowd to cheer you on. I think it is unnatural for football to be played behind closed doors, as it becomes a whole other type of sport.”

The Lazio boss shook off questions about the tactical approach to this match being different in Europe to Serie A.

“I knew Olympiakos would use this system. Paradoxically, I know we will face stronger sides on paper, but I depend mainly on my own team.

“If we play our own way and focus on ourselves then we can face anyone. It is that self-belief I want to get back in the squad.”

In the other Group C tie, Real Madrid earned a late 2-1 win over Werder Bremen. This is a good result for Lazio, who go second.

**Jager** · 19-09-2007, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Ballotta wanted better debut Tuesday 18 September, 2007

Marco Ballotta made his Champions League debut with Lazio at the age of 43, but was disappointed he didn’t celebrate it with victory in Greece.

“In all honesty, looking at the whole game I expected a better result. We were a little scared in the first half, but slowly gained our confidence and created some good chances to win the match,” said the goalkeeper after the 1-1 draw at Olympiakos.

“As debuts go away from home, a point is useful in this competition and a positive start to the Group.”

Lazio are having trouble finding their feet so far this term, as they have drawn three straight Serie A games and had to fight back from 1-0 down for this result in Athens.

“We also struggled at the start of last season, as we need to find our fitness and movements,” assured the shot-stopper.

“We have to get back to the side we were last year, but we have all the characteristics needed and so it will only be a matter of time.”

The fans and media – and to a degree Coach Delio Rossi – complained that the Biancocelesti have not got enough strength in depth to challenge in two competitions.

“For the moment this is the squad and there’s nothing to say we can’t have more come in if they are out of contract. There are 24-25 players and we are slowly growing all together.”

channel4.com - Football Italia

**dukeofdavinci** · 19-09-2007, 09:15 AM

as expected they drew, but judging from the way they played if they can do a bit more and cut down on errors i can see them getting out of the group in 2nd

**Jager** · 19-09-2007, 09:41 AM

I think they needed to win this game, but we'll see.

If they win their games at home, anything is possible.

LaVecchiaSignora · 19-09-2007, 09:46 PM

Tought tie there for lazio...they should have won this match and i agree with jager when he says they needed to win this match. I mean its better then a loss dont get me wrong but they needed the 3 points to feel more comfortable

**Jager** · 20-09-2007, 12:46 AM

The problem is that this was the "away" game they should of won, because winning in Germany or Spain is going to be extremely difficult.