UCL: Lazio - Real Madrid [03-10-07] - TalkSoccer

**dukeofdavinci** · 01-10-2007, 02:14 PM

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Lotito: Bring on Real Monday 1 October, 2007

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Lazio chief Claudio Lotito is looking forward to the Biancocelesti’s Champions League clash against Real Madrid on Wednesday.

The capital club had to battle past Romanian champions Dinamo Bucharest to qualify for the group stages and have been rewarded with a tough task.

The Aquile’s opening game was a battling 1-1 draw away to Greek giants Olympiacos, but a much bigger challenge faces them when one of Europe’s true giants arrive at the Stadio Olimpico.

“Just to be amongst the 32 biggest clubs in Europe is a reason to be proud,” Lotito grinned.

“This will be a very difficult game, but we will approach it with determination and spririt. I want to see us play as a tight unit like we did last season and then the result could come.

“But we are at a disadvantage playing a side like Real this early as we want to grow as the campaign continues,” he concluded.

In three weeks' time Lazio travel to the Weserstadion to face German outfit Werder Bremen and defeat against the Merengues would see that game already become a must-win.

match preview to follow.

**dukeofdavinci** · 01-10-2007, 04:39 PM

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Rocchi has Real chance Monday 1 October, 2007

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Lazio star striker Tommaso Rocchi has rated his chances of playing against Real Madrid on Wednesday as 50 per cent.

The 30-year-old marksman left the pitch with an ankle injury in the Biancocelesti’s 1-1 draw with Reggina last weekend.

After comprehensive scans, the extent of the injury has been revealed and it is more serious than a standard sprain as there is some ligament damage.

“The player is resting and undergoing physiotherapy,” a statement from the club’s medics revealed. “The staff will do everything possible to get him back to fitness for the game against Real.”

Rocchi is also remaining as positive as possible ahead of one of the biggest games in Lazo’s recent history.

“I am a bit beaten up, but I feel better than I did yesterday,” he insisted. “I reckon whether I make it or not is 50-50.”

channel4.com - Football Italia

**D-Kin** · 02-10-2007, 11:24 AM

Rocchi better be fit if Lazio want any chance of getting something out of this game.

**D-Kin** · 02-10-2007, 11:26 AM

Cannavaro faces an Italian team for the first time since his move to Madrid.
SI.com - Champions League: Cannavaro preparing to face Italian opponent for first time

**dukeofdavinci** · 03-10-2007, 01:41 PM

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Lazio lose no sleep over Madrid
Wednesday 3 October 2007
Match preview by Richard Allen from Rome

Coach Delio Rossi has paid tribute to S.S. Lazio's illustrious visitors Real Madrid CF before their second match in UEFA Champions League Group C – but promises that his side will not be overawed by the big names on the team sheet of the nine-time European champions.

Childhood dream
"It is the dream of any young boy to play against Real Madrid," said the 46-year-old. "But for those who have to work in football, it's just another game. I won't be having nightmares about Madrid or dreaming about white shirts." As well as the 1-1 stalemate in Greece against Olympiacos CFP on Matchday 1, Lazio have drawn four of their opening six Serie A matches and lie 12th in the table with seven points, already seven adrift of early leaders FC Internazionale Milano. Nevertheless, further parity on Wednesday "would suit" Rossi.

No fear
"We can win if we play with the desire and commitment that Lazio are famous for, but it will be very tough," said Rossi. "We have to forget about their history and their players and go at them without fear. There are three points at stake and it looks as though we'll be playing in front of a full house, so I hope all the emotion and drama of the night will be channelled in the right way – and work in our favour." Lazio have beaten only Cagliari Calcio in Serie A, and have failed to score in the first half of all nine games in their campaign. The Italian international forward Tommaso Rocchi, who has struck three times in five league appearances this term, will undergo a late fitness test with Stephen Makinwa waiting in the wings should he fail to recover.

Schuster relaxed
In contrast, Bernd Schuster's men have carried on where Fabio Capello's left off in May. The Spanish champions are leading both the Primera División – with five victories from six matches – as well as Group C after their 2-1 triumph at home against Werder Bremen on Matchday 1. "We don't have to change too much for this game," said Schuster. "Lazio play a similar system to Bremen. We just have to play our own game. I think the wings will be important." Defenders Christoph Metzelder and Pepe, plus striker Robinho, are out injured yet despite the absences and his side's impressive results in the early part of the season, the German coach has been criticised for his rotation policy since leaving Getafe CF to succeed Fabio Capello at the Santiago Bernabéu in the summer.

Squad rotation
"Like all teams, we have a base of players who perform in most games but we must also make sure our players are in top condition for the top matches," he said. "Sometimes we have to make changes and that's why we have a big squad. This will happen here." Madrid have not lifted Europe's premier club prize since 2002 and Schuster says claiming the title for a record tenth time is their foremost goal for 2007/08: "We have to think about other competitions such as the Spanish league and cup, but of course, this is the most important tournament and has priority. But we are not like Italian teams who look exclusively at the Champions League."

uefa.com*-*UEFA Champions League*-*Fixtures & Results

**D-Kin** · 03-10-2007, 02:04 PM

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Tommaso Rocchi hopes he can recover from an ankle problem to face Real Madrid and Lazio boss Delio Rossi insists, “I won’t settle for a draw.”

The striker proved decisive in the preliminary round to eliminate Dinamo Bucharest, but sprained his left ankle with ligament damage during the 1-1 draw at Reggina on Sunday.

“I am a little more optimistic as the swelling has gone down and so has the pain,” assured Rocchi after further tests.

“I definitely want to be there for the Real game, as it is such an important appointment, but first I have to consult with the medical staff to see if it can be done. In my view my chances are 50 per cent.”

Whether the Italian international recovers in time or not, Lazio are the underdogs going into Wednesday’s Champions League clash at the Stadio Olimpico.

“We have in our heads and our legs the ability to play the perfect game,” maintained Coach Rossi.

“I would never settle for a draw. I want to see Lazio challenge for the points, so that in future we can have no regrets. It will be nice to face off against a side like Real to see how we measure up. Fortune favours the brave.”

The season so far has been disappointing, as they have just one Serie A win, four draws and a defeat, while they earned a late 1-1 result away to Olympiacos in their European opener.

“I am approaching this match like any other. Clearly for the players the motivation will be different. There is the risk you can charge them up too much, so balance is the best solution.

“The motivation to do well comes by itself. For me taking on Real Madrid is a childhood dream come true, but my career has a long way to go yet and I hope to experience many more moments like this in the future.”

Los Galacticos landed in Rome with their private plane this afternoon ahead of Wednesday night’s encounter and Rossi shrugged off questions about some of the big names he’ll be up against.

“We must not think about Guti or any of the other stars. Of course, Raul is a fascinating figure because he is a leader and represents the history of the club, but we have to look at them as a team. Even in the one-on-one situations we cannot be afraid.”

These two teams have only met once before in Europe for the 2000-01 Champions League second group phase.

Lazio lost 3-2 in Madrid and held Real to a 2-2 draw in Italy with Pavel Nedved and Hernan Crespo on target.

Real’s record in the peninsula is disappointing after four wins, four draws and 15 defeats.

channel4.com - Football Italia

**D-Kin** · 03-10-2007, 02:26 PM

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Real Madrid's veteran striker Raul is relishing facing Lazio in the Champions League tonight, but admits the Biancocelesti are an unknown identity.

The Merengues captain is a confessed admirer of Italian football, but the Aquile have been absent from the biggest stage in recent years and are a mystery to the Spaniards.

“I watch Italian football, but I know little about Lazio,” Raul told Il Corriere della Sera. “I only saw their game against Cagliari and Tommaso Rocchi looked very good.

“They look like a strong unit, but they don’t have the individual stars like they used to in Alessandro Nesta, Juan Sebastian Veron and Hernan Crespo.

“I love the Stadio Olimpico and I adore the city of Rome, but my favourite Italian player is Andrea Pirlo, as well as Paolo Maldini, as they are examples for everyone.”

Lazio are still nervously awaiting news on the ankle injury to star striker Rocchi who is said to be 50-50 to start after recovering sufficiently to make the squad.

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

channel4.com - Football Italia

**Jager** · 03-10-2007, 06:44 PM

I don't think Real Madrid will run over them, I expect Lazio to hold on close. I have chosen this game as the one I'm watching, over Celtic/Milan, as many members on the site are watching that one.

**Jager** · 03-10-2007, 06:57 PM

Lazio have gotten off to a positive start, they are taking it to Real, so far so good.

**Jager** · 03-10-2007, 06:59 PM

While I write that, Real has a corner, and it goes off funny off a RVN, and its 1-0.......

**Jager** · 03-10-2007, 07:16 PM

Ah man, Lazio coming on again, and just missed a sure goal...have to bury those.

**sinoy1** · 03-10-2007, 07:16 PM

As if that didnt go in for Lazio

Terrible luck.

**Jager** · 03-10-2007, 07:17 PM

GOAL@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

FANS ARE GOING CRAZY@!

**Jager** · 03-10-2007, 07:18 PM

Pandev buries an incredible, with an incredible setup.......simply awesome!

1-1

**sinoy1** · 03-10-2007, 07:19 PM

What a goal by Pandev!!! Euphoria!!!!!