Serie A' MD19: Lazio - Napoli [20-01-08]

[dukeofdavinci]

Serie A Week 19 - 20/1/08 (14.00 UK)
Napoli-Lazio

Stadio San Paolo

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This is a must-win match for Lazio as they face Napoli at the Stadio San Paolo in Week 19. Both teams haven’t won a game in the last three, but the Biancocelesti are falling closer and closer to the relegation zone.

Lazio have had a really poor campaign so far. They have been eliminated from the Champions League and they are struggling in Serie A too. Furthermore, Coach Delio Rossi may be forced to leave if the Romani get beaten in Naples.

In last week’s tie Lazio suffered a 2-1 home defeat against Genoa while Napoli were hammered 5-2 by Milan.

Napoli are currently in 8th place and will be hoping to add to Lazio’s woes this season by inflicting a fourth defeat in five games on them. The Biancocelesti are 15th, four points clear of the drop zone.

Napoli boss Edy Reja cannot count on Uruguayan bomber Marcelo Zalayeta, who has to serve his last week of a ban. Walter Gargano will be out for the same reason. The defensive trio will be formed by Andrea Cupi, Paolo Cannavaro and Maurizio Domizzi.

Manuele Blasi could return in midfield, after missing the San Siro game, alongside Marek Hamsik and Mauricio Bogliacino. In attack Roberto Sosa will be once again preferred to Emanuele Calaiò.

Rossi will have to cope with several absences. Star man Tommaso Rocchi got injured against Genoa and won’t be able to recover for this tie. Gaby Mudingayi, Fabio Firmani, Stephen Makinwa and Mourad Meghni are also on the injury list.

Guglielmo Stendardo will make his return in defence after renewing his contract with the club. Talented youngster Lorenzo De Silvestri will cover the right side. Stefano Mauri will be the Trequartista behind Igli Tare and Goran Pandev.

Keep an eye on: Ezequiel Lavezzi (Napoli) – ‘El Pocho’ has been outstanding recently and he will be looking to write his name on the scoresheet.

Last season: Not played

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


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Napoli (probable): Iezzo; Cupi, Cannavaro, Domizzi; Garics, Bogliacino, Blasi, Hamsik, Savini; Lavezzi, Sosa

Lazio (probable): Ballotta; De Silvestri, Cribari, Stendardo, Zauri; Behrami, Ledesma, Mutarelli; Mauri; Pandev, Tare

Ref: To follow...

channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

After what happened last night I expect Napoli to put up a good fight and possibly win.

As Reja said, they want revenge.

[D-Kin]

Reja eager for Lazio replay Sunday 20 January, 2008

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Napoli face Lazio for the second time in three days and Edy Reja wants a different outcome in Serie A.

The two sides clashed on Thursday evening for the Coppa Italia, a 1-1 draw proving enough to qualify the Biancocelesti 3-2 on aggregate.

“Despite our disappointment over exiting the competition, I was satisfied with the spirit of the team. Clearly with another result we’d be happier, but that doesn’t take away their intensity and the fact over 180 minutes we deserved to qualify.”

When it comes to Serie A, Napoli are in much better shape, as they are in ninth place and five points clear of Lazio.

“You just need to look at the table to understand how well we have been doing this season. I say this is already an extraordinary achievement for a newly promoted team with so many changes over the summer. We got there through prestigious and exciting matches.”

Yet Napoli must get back on track after their 5-2 drubbing away to Milan last Sunday.

“We must take that as an incentive to improve. I tell these lads to continue with that same conviction and cohesion. I can only praise their attitude throughout this season.”

channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

Serie A Week 19 - 20/1/08 (14.00 UK)
Napoli 2 - 2 Lazio
Hamsik 5, 94 (N), Ledesma 25 (L), Pandev 32 (L)
Stadio San Paolo

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Marek Hamsik's brace gave 10-man Napoli a last-gasp point in this eventful encounter with Lazio.

These two teams had already met on Thursday for the Coppa Italia, a 1-1 draw proving enough to qualify Lazio 3-2 on aggregate. As far as Serie A was concerned, both sides were without a win in three and needed a morale-boosting victory, as Napoli were thrashed 5-2 at Milan and the Biancocelesti humiliatingly fell to a 2-1 home defeat against Genoa. Despite it all, the club proposed Delio Rossi a contract extension.

Lazio's injury crisis continues unabated with Luciano Zauri, Gaby Mudingayi, Fabio Firmani, Stephen Makinwa, Mourad Meghni and Tommaso Rocchi sidelined. The home side had Marcelo Zalayeta and Walter Gargano suspended.

Napoli took just five minutes to break the deadlock, as Mariano Bogliacino's cross from the left was deflected, but Marek Hamsik readjusted his position to smash under the bar first time.

The Biancocelesti thought they had equalised with a sensational stop and volley, but Goran Pandev's goal was disallowed for an offside position.

Garics fired off target, but Lazio did get their goal on 26 minutes with Cristian Ledesma. The Argentine unleashed a trademark rocket from over 25 metres with his fierce left foot.

Lazio turned the game around completely at the Stadio San Paolo, as Igli Tare sent Pandev clear with the aid of a failed offside trap and the Macedonian placed a delicate finish over the goalkeeper.

Marco Ballotta showed there's life in the old dog yet, as he parried Ezequiel Lavezzi's free kick and the Garics follow-up from point-blank range. Then on the counter Hamsik fired straight at the veteran goalkeeper.

After the restart Ballotta did brilliantly to fingertip Hamsik's header out from under the bar.

Ledesma almost made it 3-1 for Lazio, as his free kick smacked the woodwork with Gennaro Iezzo rooted to the spot.

Ballotta was again magnificent to stop Lavezzi as he ran on to Roberto Sosa's flicked on header, then at the other end Fabio Vignaroli fired over from a counter.

Massimo Mutarelli got his body in front of a Lavezzi effort and Ballotta was again decisive on Sam Dalla Bona.

Napoli finished the game with 10 men, as Blasi picked up a second booking for kicking the ball away. He has received 10 yellow cards this season. When Ballotta blocked a Sosa header, they thought it was all over, but in the final minute of stoppages Hamsik drew Napoli level with a fantastic volley from the edge of the box. It took a deflection on the way through.

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Napoli: Iezzo; Cupi, Cannavaro, Domizzi, Garics (Grava 78); Hamsik, Blasi, Bogliacino (Calaio' 70), Savini (Dalla Bona 55); Lavezzi, Sosa

Lazio: Ballotta; De Silvestri, Stendardo, Siviglia, Kolarov; Behrami, Ledesma, Mutarelli; Mauri (Manfredini 84); Pandev (Vignaroli 64), Tare (Rocchi 61)

Ref: Rocchi

Sent off: Blasi 91 (N)

channel4.com - Football Italia

[Adamo]

Another disappointing result for Lazio in Napoli. I didn't see the game so I can't comment but what a bummer----to give up a 90th minute goal.

We just can't get any breaks this season!

[darran]

a lucky deflection got it past ballotta who was simply magnificent. we could have sealed the game earlier on with ledesma and mauri coming so close. but then again, our defense was simply pathetic, both on the first goal and on the chances which napoli had. luck was certainly not on our side, napoli steals this one.

i still believe we can get back on track, only 10 days left before the mercato closes, and still nothing is happening.