Serie A' MD17: Palermo - Lazio [23-12-07]

[dukeofdavinci]

Serie A Week 17 - 23/12/07 (14.00 UK)
Palermo - Lazio

Stadio Barbera

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Palermo and Lazio will both be eager to claim all three points when they meet in Sicily as they continue to pursue qualification for next season’s European competition. While the home side look back on track though, their visitors are in desperate need of a win.

The Biancocelesti currently find themselves way off the pace and seven points behind sixth place and their opponents in this match. There were promising signs in last week’s match with Juventus, despite their eventual defeat, but they still need to get some much-needed points on the board. The Aquile’s exit from the Champions League will also have put a dampener on team morale and the knowledge that they have recorded just one away win all term could result in nerves at the Stadio Barbera.

Lazio Coach Delio Rossi will be worried by some of the absences in his squad though. The loss of striker Goran Pandev, scorer of both the Biancocelesti’s goals against Juve, will be an especially big blow and Stephen Makinwa faces a massive task to fill the Macedonian’s boots while he is suspended. The injuries to Valon Behrami, Luciano Zauri and Modibo Diakhite won’t help their defensive problems, while midfielder Simone Del Nero is also out.

Rossi’s opposite number Francesco Guidolin has worries of his own. The injury suffered by first-choice goalkeeper Alberto Fontana in training means that youngster Federico Agliardi should take his place between the posts. However, he will have to put in a solid performance to win back the support of the Palermo fans after his inconsistent form since joining from Brescia. Elsewhere, Marco Pisano has resumed training following his injury, but Ciro Capuano is expected to keep his place at left-back.

The Rosanero fans will be expecting to see their side record another win against this struggling Lazio team. Despite a less-than-impressive start by Guidolin to his latest spell with Palermo, where they lost the Sicilian derby 3-1 to Catania, things have turned around at the Barbera. They have beaten two of Serie A’s high flyers, in the shape of Atalanta and Fiorentina, in the last couple of weeks and will be eager to go into the winter break on a high.

Keep an eye on: Amauri (Palermo) – All eyes are on the Brazilian striker at the moment as he continues to wow the Rosanero fans and the speculation claiming he will opt to represent Italy at international level gathers pace.

Last season: Palermo 0-3 Lazio

Form guide: Palermo (W L L W W) Lazio (L W D W L)


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Palermo (probable): Agliardi; Zaccardo, Biava, Barzagli, Capuano; Guana, Migliaccio, Simplicio; Cavani, Miccoli; Amauri

Lazio (probable): Ballotta; Scaloni, Siviglia, Cribari, De Silvestri; Mudingayi, Ledesma, Mutarelli; Mauri; Makinwa, Rocchi

Ref: To follow...

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[Jager]

Very important game for Lazio. This should be a good game, though Palermo is playing very good of late.

[D-Kin]

Palermo drew in the Coppa while Lazio won, we'll see how that effects the players.

[dukeofdavinci]

Cragnotti seeks Lazio comeback Saturday 22 December, 2007

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Former Lazio President Sergio Cragnotti – who took the club to the brink of bankruptcy – has offered to help current patron Claudio Lotito.


“During my stay in Madrid it was very exciting and moving to see so much affection from the Lazio fans. Many people asked me to come back,” Cragnotti told Nuova Spazio Radio.


“Would I return? My affection for this club shall never wane. I have some family issues to sort out right now, but we will see what the future holds.


“The problem is that the future of Lazio depends on President Lotito and his choices. The others can only observe his work and eventually offer some important projects.”


It would be a shock comeback for Cragnotti, whose reign saw the Biancocelesti win the Scudetto, Coppa Italia and Cup Winners’ Cup, but also a total financial collapse in 2002 that forced him to sell up to Lotito.


However, Lazio’s Ultras have long been at war with Lotito, who they accuse of penny-pinching and mistreating their favourite players, such as Tommaso Rocchi, Angelo Peruzzi and Paolo Di Canio.


“I am at Lotito’s disposal, if he decides to begin a winning project,” added Cragnotti.


“I don’t know if Lotito will accept my proposal of collaboration, seeing as he likes to do everything by himself. For now let us put our faith in this President.


“My only criticism right now is that, having restructured the club, he is not planning for that step up in quality. The Lazio fans deserve to know their side’s real prospects.”


Coach Delio Rossi has also complained following their Champions League exit that the team was not reinforced with enough strength in depth during the summer transfer dealings.


“If I were to return to Lazio, I would try to take them back where they belong, as this is not a provincial side,” added the former patron.


“A winning strategy is de rigueur for a club like this. We will see if I can find a financial backer to help me in this quest.”

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[D-Kin]

Cavani sets sights high Friday 21 December, 2007

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Palermo starlet Edison Cavani wants to score in front of the Rosanero fans against Lazio this weekend and has big ambitions.

The Uruguayan striker is seen as a hot prospect for the future, but he has only scored once at the Stadio Renzo Barbera.

“It would be great to score in front of our fans as I feel at home in Palermo,” he admitted. “But the main thing is that the team has a good end to the year.

“We want to finish high in the table – very high in the table. I would like to lift a Cup and if we end up qualifying for the Champions League then that’s even better

“The Coppa Italia is certainly one of our objectives and we will try to win it, even if it is tough.”

Palermo are looking to take advantage of Lazio’s recent troubles and will be favourites to take the points in Sicily.

“It’s 11 against 11 and if we are a stronger side than Lazio then we need to show it on the pitch,” Cavani insisted.

“The Biancocelesti have a very strong team with strikers who can make the difference at any time.

“But I can do the do the same for Palermo - my job is to always be ready for the Coach’s call and it’s up to him whether I’m picked.”

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[D-Kin]

Rossi on red alert Sunday 23 December, 2007

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Delio Rossi has become accustomed to dealing with a depleted Lazio squad, but he admits against Palermo the situation is critical.

Goran Pandev is suspended and joined on the sidelines by the injured Roberto Baronio, Stefano Mauri, Mourad Meghni, Valon Behrami, Mobido Diakhitè, Gaby Mudingayi, Massimo Mutarelli and Luciano Zauri.

“We are in a constant state of emergency. It could be time to launch Fabio Vignaroli in midfield, while Lorenzo De Silvestri will remain in defence and not be pushed up.”

Guglielmo Stendardo is also out of action due to a disciplinary matter, as he had a blazing row with Rossi in the locker room.

“Stendardo made a mistake and acted badly towards me and his teammates. That is a serious matter. I do not hold a grudge, but we will see what can be done.”

This is not the best time to be facing a Palermo side that has won its last two games against the likes of Fiorentina and Atalanta.

“Palermo were already ambitious last season, then further reinforced their squad over the summer. Francesco Guidolin knows the club well and the players are right behind him.”

Rossi knows he needs a result today to avoid a nervous Christmas break, as the axe is hanging over his head following Lazio’s Champions League exit.

However, he prefers to look on the bright side and the fact they managed to enter that competition in the first place.

“Our 2007 has been wonderful with some important results, even if people only remember the past few months,” said the Coach.

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[D-Kin]

Guidolin guides resurgent Rosanero Sunday 23 December, 2007

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Francesco Guidolin has revitalised Palermo and wants to ride this wave all the way to victory over a Lazio side in crisis.

“We have done very well over the last two games, but now must give a sense of consistency to our results so that we can repeat what we achieved last season,” he told Radioincontro.

The Rosanero were struggling when he took over from sacked tactician Stefano Colantuono and with the new 4-3-3 system has notched up two straight wins over Fiorentina and Atalanta.

“It was not good to go out of the UEFA Cup, but we need to take the positive aspects from even the negative events.”

This is Guidolin’s return to Sicily after he was fired and re-hired several times over recent years by fiery patron Maurizio Zamparini.

“The first time I left to join Genoa and then Monaco, leaving all the money from my contract to Palermo,” explained the Coach.

“Then I returned, doing rather well and qualifying for the UEFA Cup. I was fired for 15 days, but accepted a comeback because it was important to me to take my team into Europe.

“In the summer the club chose not to confirm its faith in me. It was not a dismissal, we just did not renew our agreement. Now, when I was called again, I accepted because Palermo are one of the strongest sides in Italy and I did not feel like turning down this chance.”

However, he knows better than most how difficult a job can be when Zamparini is sharpening his axe.

“Zamparini is an excellent President, but he does not take defeat well. This is why, at times, it can be tough to work with him.”

Guidolin had better get a good result against Lazio this afternoon to avoid a furious club owner over the Christmas holidays.

“Lazio are a fine side and Delio Rossi has done great work with them. They will be very charged up after their good performance against Juventus last week, especially as they failed to pick up points they deserved.”

Palermo squad: Agliardi, Ujkani; Barzagli, Biava, Capuano, Cassani, Pisano, Rinaudo, Zaccardo; Bresciano, Caserta, Diana, Guana, Jankovic, Migliaccio, Simplicio, Tedesco; Amauri, Brienza, Cavani, Miccoli.

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[dukeofdavinci]

Serie A Week 17 - 23/12/07 (14.00 UK)
Palermo 2 - 2 Lazio
Simplicio 34 (P), Amauri 46 (P), Firmani 58 (L), Tare 80 (L)
Stadio Barbera

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Lazio fought back to earn a draw in Sicily in chaotic fashion, as there were two red cards and a missed penalty.

The Biancocelesti are accustomed to injury worries, but this was a crisis even by their standards, as Goran Pandev was suspended with Roberto Baronio, Stefano Mauri, Mourad Meghni, Valon Behrami, Mobido Diakhitè, Gaby Mudingayi, Massimo Mutarelli and Luciano Zauri sidelined. This meant Fabio Vignaroli received his Lazio debut in midfield. The Rosanero, on the other hand, were brimming with confidence after two straight wins against Fiorentina and Atalanta.

This is a notoriously unpredictable fixture, as in the past three seasons there have been a win each and a 3-3 draw. The Sicilians got off to a blistering start, as within 120 seconds Cristian Zaccardo had turned a corner on to the side-netting.

Giulio Migliaccio went off with a sprained knee and Lazio threatened with a glancing Tommaso Rocchi header, while Federico Agliardi did well to stick out a foot and parry Fabio Firmani's close-range finish.

Marco Ballotta punched away a Fabrizio Miccoli free kick, but Palermo took the lead on 34 minutes. Miccoli's set-piece found Fabio Simplicio for a powerful header under the bar.

Aleksandar Kolarov blasted just off target from distance and Caserta's effort was saved. On the stroke of half-time, Ballotta got down to block a Miccoli free kick.

Lazio seem to have left their concentration in the locker room, as within 50 seconds Palermo had doubled their lead. Amauri sprung the offside trap around the halfway line, ran forward and lifted his shot over the on-rushing Ballotta.

Firmani pulled one back by pouncing on a misplaced Kolarov strike with his right foot flashing into the far corner.

Federico Agliardi had his palms stung by a Kolarov cracker, but Sebastiano Siviglia saw red for bringing down Amauri as he went to meet a Miccoli effort. It was also a spot-kick, but incredibly the Brazilian ballooned his penalty over the bar.

It proved a costly error, as soon after Lazio equalised. The Sicilian defence left substitute Igli Tare totally unmarked from six yards to turn in a De Silvestri cutback. De Silvestri saw the visitors end the game with just nine men on the pitch for two bookable offences.


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Palermo: Agliardi; Zaccardo, Biava, Barzagli, Capuano; Guana, Migliaccio (Caserta 25), Simplicio (Brienza 91); Cavani (Diana 69), Miccoli; Amauri

Lazio: Ballotta; De Silvestri, Siviglia, Cribari, Kolarov; Vignaroli (Del Nero 60), Ledesma, Firmani, Manfredini (Scaloni 77); Rocchi, Makinwa (Tare 55)

Ref: Orsato

Sent off: Siviglia 75 (L), De Silvestri 89 (L)

Missed penalty: Amauri 76 (P)

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[dukeofdavinci]

Delio admires Lazio heart Sunday 23 December, 2007

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Delio Rossi was proud to say his Lazio side “has heart” after their surprise comeback, but Palermo’s Francesco Guidolin understandably rued their errors.


“I have to thank the lads, because they showed they have heart and fought all the way to get the result,” said Rossi after the 2-2 in Sicily.


“We are going through all kinds of problems this season, but football is a team sport and it is still won by the collective.”


The Biancocelesti had a disastrous injury crisis going into the game and also saw both Sebastiano Siviglia and Lorenzo De Silvestri sent off, but still fought back to hold Palermo.


“I have already told the club we need to make some changes in January, but what counts more than anything is the team spirit and with this approach we will go far.”


Palermo had the opportunity to put the game beyond doubt, but Amauri blasted a penalty over the bar, allowing Lazio to catch them.


“We are disappointed because we could already taste the victory,” moaned Guidolin. “Having said that, Lazio did not rob anyone and it was the right result. Perhaps we thought the match was over when we went 2-0 up.


“We paid a high price for that missed penalty. We didn’t have as much energy as last Sunday, but still did well up until Lazio’s first goal, then the pressure got to us. It’s a shame, as the equaliser was avoidable.”

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[Jager]

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