Serie A' MD18: Lazio - Genoa [13-01-08]

[dukeofdavinci]

Serie A Week 18 - 13/1/08 (14.00 UK)
Lazio - Genoa

Stadio Olimpico

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Both these sides were frankly glad of the Christmas break during which to recharge their batteries after a poor run of results.

Lazio have been struggling with an injury crisis since the start of the season and that inevitably took its toll, but with their exit from Europe and time to focus on training without games every three days, only two men remain in the treatment room. Mobido Diakhitè is out for the campaign with a fractured leg, while Mourad Meghni is sidelined in the short term. Nonetheless, Delio Rossi still has precious few options, as Lorenzo De Silvestri, Sebastiano Siviglia and Cristian Ledesma are all suspended, so Fabio Vignaroli could again be drafted into midfield.

All eyes will be on strikers Goran Pandev and Tommaso Rocchi, who could be playing some of their final matches in the Biancocelesti jersey. The Macedonian has been linked with Bayern Munich, while Rocchi publicly refused to shake President Claudio Lotito’s hand in front of television cameras following a row over his contract extension. Until goalkeeper Juan Pablo Carrizo can get his EU passport, the gloves remain on the hands of 43-year-old Marco Ballotta.

Lazio have won just one of their last five Serie A games, although they showed character to fight back from 2-0 down and earn a point away to Palermo before Christmas. Genoa also got a much-needed confidence booster in their final game of 2007, defeating Parma 1-0 thanks to a Marco Borriello spot-kick. That was their first victory since October 7 and hauled them back to mid-table safety.

The history books tend to side with the Biancocelesti in this fixture, as Genoa have not won here since a 4-2 result in January 1959 and have lost their last two visits by a 4-0 scoreline. It will be a special occasion for Marco Di Vaio, who grew up in the Lazio youth system, but he is unlikely to start ahead of the preferred trident with Giuseppe Sculli, Borriello and Julio Cesar Leon.

Borriello is the key figure for Genoa, having scored 50 per cent of all their Serie A goals this season. The real changes are in defence, where Domenico Criscito returns on loan from Juventus to the club where he first impressed in Serie B last term.

Keep an eye on: Marco Borriello (Genoa) – The Milan-owned striker has scored half of all his team’s goals this season, so it goes without saying he is the danger man for Lazio’s reshuffled defence.

Last season: Not played.

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


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

Genoa (probable): Rubinho; Bovo, De Rosa, Criscito; Rossi, Paro, Juric, Fabiano; Leon, Borriello, Sculli

Ref: To follow...

channel4.com - Football Italia

[dukeofdavinci]

Rossi eyes Lazio restart Saturday 12 January, 2008

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Lazio boss Delio Rossi is confident his team can turn a corner against Genoa after a sorely-needed Christmas break.

“The time off allowed us to recharge our batteries, even if not everyone is 100 per cent fit,” said the Coach.

“We have to kick-start our campaign and think about getting back on track in Serie A and the Coppa Italia.”

The Biancocelesti are now out of Europe and have been struggling badly with just one win from their last five League games.

“Genoa are not a surprise team of the season, they started well and have great support from their fans. I expect my side to play with passion.”

Tensions are running high in the Lazio camp after a row with Guglielmo Stendardo and transfer speculation surrounding Goran Pandev and Tommaso Rocchi.

“We have been distracted by transfer talk for seven months, not just in January, but we have to set that aside because even if someone did join now they would not be ready to take part in all the games we have lined up,” continued Rossi.

“The Coach – unlike the players – has to think about the whole group and not on an individual level. If a player is in good shape, he should be used. Stendardo’s chances of playing do not depend on our rapport.

“I read many things, including claims that I had frozen Stendardo out of the squad, but that is not true. We had a confrontation and talked it over. I am the only one who makes decisions on who plays.”

Rossi could be forced into fielding Stendardo, as Lorenzo De Silvestri, Cristian Ledesma and Sebastiano Siviglia are suspended with Mobido Diakhite and Mourad Meghni injured.

channel4.com - Football Italia

[dukeofdavinci]

Serie A Week 18 - 13/1/08 (14.00 UK)
Lazio 1 - 2 Genoa
Mauri 23 (L), Borriello pen 51, 55 (G)
Stadio Olimpico

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Marco Borriello's brace took Genoa to their first win in Rome for 49 years, but it was thanks to an extremely soft penalty.

Both these sides were frankly glad of the Christmas break and had to come out fighting for 2008. Lazio's exit from Europe increased the pressure on Delio Rossi, who had to do without Mobido Diakhite', Mourad Meghni and suspended trio Lorenzo De Silvestri, Sebastiano Siviglia and Cristian Ledesma. Genoa welcomed Domenico Criscito back on loan from Juventus and wanted to build on the 1-0 win over Parma - their first victory since October 7, especially as Lazio were without a celebration in five games.

Gaby Mudingayi pulled up with an injury during the warm-up, so Valon Behrami had to be moved in to right midfield as an emergency measure. It was Genoa who had the first chance when Marco Borriello volleyed on to the side-netting from close range.

The Biancocelesti aimed three shots at the target in the same move, but Goran Pandev, Stefano Mauri and Roberto Baronio couldn't get the ball in. Moments later Marco Ballotta was alert to palm away a Juric angled drive.

Lazio took the lead from a corner kick. Goalkeeper Rubinho's poor clearance fell straight to Mauri for an angled drive from nine yards.

Abdoulay Konko's effort was deflected off target and Giuseppe Sculli wasted a golden opportunity when clear on Ballotta, but Rubinho was having a nightmare and spilled a simple free kick with Luciano Zauri's follow-up charged down.

Tommaso Rocchi was struggling with an ankle problem and limped off just before half-time to make way for Albanian Igli Tare.

Behrami's shot flashed across the face of goal, but the referee awarded an incredibly soft penalty to Genoa. Omar Milanetto seemed to lose his footing as he tried to go round Guglielmo Stendardo. Nonetheless, Borriello sent Ballotta the wrong way with a relaxed spot-kick.

Borriello took that momentum and turned the game around with his 10th goal of the season. Lazio were caught napping, allowing him a totally free header from six yards on Milanetto's free kick.

Lazio were even more furious with referee Stefanini when Pandev fell under a Cesare Bovo challenge and was booked for simulation, but in this case the official appeared to get it right.

There was bad news for Genoa when Julio Cesar Leon went off with a muscular problem.


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Lazio: Ballotta; Scaloni (Del Nero 69), Stendardo, Cribari, Zauri; Behrami (Kolarov 90), Mutarelli, Baronio; Mauri; Pandev, Rocchi (Tare 41)

Genoa: Rubinho; Konko, Bovo, De Rosa, Criscito; Rossi, Milanetto (Masiello 86), Juric; Leon (Paro 67), Borriello, Sculli (Santos 58)

Ref: Stefanini

channel4.com - Football Italia

[Adamo]

Where is everybody? Did anybody watch the game? Unfortunately I watched the game. It's hard to expect Lazio to compete with all of their injuries but they had a 1-0 lead and were looking pretty good until the horrendous penalty call for Genoa. Very frustrating---it's going to be a long season!

adamo

[Jager]

Games like this get managers fired. And I'm am or was a believer in Rossi, but you can't drop points like this at home..unacceptable.