MD4: Atalanta-Lazio 23/9/07 (14.00 UK)

[Jager]

Serie A Week 4 - 23/9/07 (14.00 UK)
Atalanta-Lazio

Stadio Azzurri d'Italia


The pressure is on for Lazio to jump-start their Serie A campaign in this Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia encounter, but they face an Atalanta side who have made a habit of defying reputations.

The departure of Coach Stefano Colantuono doesn’t seem to have upset Atalanta’s progress. The Orobici drew 2-2 with Fiorentina to cement a strong start to the season after a 2-0 win over Parma.

The Nerazzurri have no intention of being drawn into the relegation dogfight and have demonstrated that they are still the side that finished eighth last time around. Luigi Del Neri must be enjoying life in the laid-back surroundings of Bergamo and as long as he can get draws in games like this he will remain comfortable on the bench.

Gradually the murmurings of disquiet are becoming audible at Lazio. After a poor transfer campaign, an opening-day draw with Torino was following by back-to-back stalemates. A gutsy 1-1 against Greek champions Olympiacos in midweek deserves credit, but the Biancocelesti are lacking last year’s conviction.

Boss Delio Rossi returns to the scene of his 2004-05 relegation as Atalanta tactician and will be determined to show the locals how far he has come since that disappointing demotion. The capital club will still see themselves as favourites, but momentum is a powerful force in football and they are worryingly stationary.

The history books make daunting reading for the hosts. Atalanta haven’t beaten Lazio since October 1997 and have endured a run of 11 games without a triumph over the Aquile.

Del Neri continues to make do without defender Thomas Manfredini, who is banned until November 1 for gambling. Ex-Arezzo star Moris Carrozzieri is suspended, leaving youngster Daniele Capelli to compete with Argentine Maximilliano Pellegrino for his spot. Riccardo Zampagna is likely to start as a lone striker with free-kick king Cristiano Doni playing behind him.

Lazio make the trip north without injured trio Fabio Firmani, Mobido Diakhite and ex-Atalanta man Sebastiano Siviglia.

Keep an eye on: Riccardo Zampagna (Atalanta) – The veteran hitman scored a superb goal against Fiorentina and committed the rest of his career to the club this week. What better way to celebrate than finding the net here?

Last season: Atalanta 0-0 Lazio

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


Atalanta (probable): Coppola; Rivalta, Talamonti, Capelli, Bellini; Ferreira Pinto, De Ascentis, Costinha, Langella, Doni; Zampagna

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

Ref: To follow...

channel4.com - Football Italia

[LaVecchiaSignora]

Delio Rossi faces Lazio’s critics and his former club Atalanta on Sunday. “Here everyone always sees the glass half empty.”

The Biancocelesti are unbeaten in official competition this season, but three draws in Serie A and a 1-1 at Olympiacos on Tuesday do not constitute the best start.


“We have already achieved an important objective by going through the preliminary round to reach the Champions League, but here everyone always sees the glass half empty,” sighed the Coach.


“I don’t think I need to vary my tactics to a more classic 4-4-2. The rhombus midfield is not the problem. We are not physically at our peak, so we’re not as sharp as we could be.”


It is a special occasion for Rossi, who almost managed an incredible comeback from relegation in 2004-05, the campaign that earned him the call from Lazio.


“Atalanta are a good squad who are in good physical shape, but I hope that tomorrow we will return to winning ways. It is not a game like any other for me, but we have to do well.”


He is not the only ‘old boy’ at the Stadio Azzurri d’Italia, as Simone Inzaghi and Manuel Belleri are now wearing the blue and black stripes.


“I am glad they have gone to a club where they can find more space and there’s nothing to say they can’t return one day.”


Marco Ballotta became the oldest player ever in the history of the Champions League this week when he played in Athens at the age of 43 years and 168 days, but he won’t be their first choice in Serie A.


“Fernando Muslera will play on Sunday. I am convinced that the goalkeeper represents 50 per cent of the defence,” noted Rossi.


“Ballotta knows our defence more, but considering all the games that await us this season, a little bit of rotation is needed.”

ch4

[dukeofdavinci]

Serie A Week 4 - 23/9/07 (14.00 UK)
Atalanta 2 - 1 Lazio
Langella 43 (A), Mutarelli 69 (L), Zampagna 93 (A)
Stadio Azzurri d'Italia

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

Another Riccardo Zampagna stunner gave Atalanta a crucial victory to take them up to second place in Serie A, dooming Lazio to their first defeat.

The pressure was on the Biancocelesti to jump-start their season after three consecutive draws and the midweek Champions League 1-1 at Olympiacos. It was a tense return for former Atalanta Coach Delio Rossi, but Luigi Del Neri was beaming after the 10-man squad earned a 2-2 result at Fiorentina.

Atalanta hadn't beaten Lazio since 1997 and were without the suspended Moris Carrozzieri and Thomas Manfredini. Lazio had long-term injuries for Mobido Diakhite, Fabio Firmani and ex-Orobici star Sebastiano Siviglia.

Diego De Ascentis set up an early strike from Riccardo Zampagna, while former Atalanta hitman Stephen Makinwa's cross found Stefano Mauri for a low volley that skimmed the upright.

Makinwa again went close with a cross-shot that flashed across the face of goal, but Goran Pandev couldn't get on the end of it. Makinwa's header from a corner kick was well held by Coppola.

Atalanta broke the deadlock just before half-time. Ferreira Pinto pushed down the right flank and lifted his cross to the back post for a precise Antonio Langella header between the upright and Fernando Muslera.

In stoppages it was nearly 2-0, as Langella's cross couldn't get the decisive touch off either Ferreira Pinto or Zampagna.

After the break Pandev's precise cross found Cristian Manfredini, but the former Chievo midfielder's header shaved a coat of paint off the frame of the goal.

Makinwa had a penalty appeal for his collision with Coppola, then Muslera parried a Zampagna effort.

On 62 minutes Langella nearly completed his brace, but the acrobatic left-foot strike cannoned off the crossbar.

But Lazio equalised with substitute Massimo Mutarelli, as the Atalanta defence was caught napping on a Pandev cross and he was ready to tap in at the back post undisturbed.

Pellegrino's header was saved and a Simone Inzaghi strike was deflected round the post.

Just as Lazio were pouring forward, Zampagna struck deep into stoppages to restore Atalanta's lead. A long goal kick went straight over Guglielmo Stendardo and Zampagna showed his incredible feel for the goal by flicking it over Muslera in acrobatic fashion.


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

Atalanta: Coppola; Rivalta, Capelli, Talamonti (Pellegrino 67), Bellini (Belleri 58); Ferreira Pinto, Tissone, De Ascentis, Langella (Inzaghi 73); Doni; Zampagna

Lazio: Muslera; Behrami, Stendardo, Cribari, Zauri; Mauri, Mudingayi (Mutarelli 67), Ledesma, Manfredini; Pandev (Rocchi 71), Makinwa (De Silvestri 84)

Ref: Stefanini

match report.

[dukeofdavinci]

Atalanta 2-1 Lazio
Luigi Del Neri: “I am not looking at our position in the table, but I am happy with today’s performance. We still need to improve tactically when our opponents have the ball. Simone Inzaghi will be very useful for Riccardo Zampagna.”
Delio Rossi: “We put in a good performance. In the first half it was balanced, while after the break we created far more to build a victory. Unfortunately, we foolishly lost the ball and Zampagna invented a goal out of nothing. I have to thank to Atalanta fans, who gave me a warm welcome back.”

post match comments.