Serie A' MD23: Lazio - Atalanta [17-02-08]

[dukeofdavinci]

Serie A Week 23 - 17/2/08 (14.00 UK)
Lazio - Atalanta

Stadio Olimpico

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Lazio must win games like this if they are to turn a relegation battle into a UEFA Cup hunt, but Atalanta are in form and have an eye on a European adventure of their own.

This season has been thoroughly frustrating for Lazio fans. It is hard to believe that the Biancocelesti grabbed third place last term, as they have been unable to find any consistency this time around. The capital club are 14th and are by no means out of the relegation mire, yet a good run of wins could put them within striking distance of the UEFA Cup chasers.

Last weekend was Lazio at their frustrating worst as they crashed to a 1-0 defeat against lowly Empoli. Just seven days earlier it seemed that Delio Rossi had finally remembered his winning formula when the Aquile stopped an in-form Sampdoria side, but the problems that had come to the fore in the three consecutive draws beforehand returned with a vengeance. This will be a true test of where Lazio stand and a must-win given their dismal away record. Having won once on the road all term, it is essential to make the most of home advantage.

Atalanta, by contrast, are in a buoyant mood. The Orobici have ditched their yo-yo club status and are emerging as candidates for European football. Sitting in eighth, the Bergamo outfit claimed a last-gasp draw against Fiorentina last week and showed the kind of spirit that allowed them to steal a dramatic 3-2 win over Parma and beat Milan.

Travelling doesn’t seem to worry Gigi Del Neri’s side given their indifferent home form. The Nerazzurri have drawn five times in home fixtures and have a respectable record on the road. If the Dea continue to play with confidence, a UEFA Cup spot is on the cards, but they need to keep the points flowing as the middle of the table is dangerously tight.

Atalanta ran out 2-1 victors when the sides met at the start of the season, but their last triumph at the Stadio Olimpico dates back to October 1997. There is an added motivation for Lazio boss Rossi as he was in charge of Atalanta in 2004-05 when he took over in December and made a valiant effort at keeping a doomed side afloat.

Lazio’s injury list isn’t shrinking. Midfielders Mourad Meghni, Massimo Mutarelli and Fabio Firmani are all injured. Ex-Atalanta man Luciano Zauri won’t play against his old club due to an ankle problem, but Gaby Mudingayi has recovered from a foot injury. There are defensive headaches as Lorenzo De Silvestri has a thigh complaint and Aleksandar Kolarov is suspended while Mobido Diakite remains out of action. Valon Behrami has a tibia niggle, but the Swiss international should play.

Former Lazio defender Jose Talamonti won’t make the trip due to injury. Portuguese midfielder Costinha, Venezuelan goalkeeper George Forsyth and defender Moris Carrozzieri are also sidelined. Young stopper Daniele Capelli has been suffering from pain in his right thigh, but he has a 50 per cent chance of starting.

Keep an eye on: Zlatan Muslimovic (Atalanta) – The Bosnian hitman has never scored more than four goals in a Serie A season, but he bagged two to secure a draw against Fiorentina last week.

Last season: Lazio 1-0 Atalanta

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


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Lazio (probable): Ballotta; Behrami, Siviglia, Cribari, Radu; Mudingayi, Ledesma, Dabo, Mauri; Pandev, Rocchi

Atalanta (probable): Coppola; Rivalta, Capelli, Pellegrino, Bellini; Ferreira Pinto, Tissone, De Ascentis, Langella; Doni, Floccari

Ref: To follow...

channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

A must win for Delio Rossi.

[D-Kin]

Lazio take the lead after 26 minutes.

Rocchi converting a penalty.

1-0.

[D-Kin]

HT 1-0 to Lazio.

[D-Kin]

FT 3-0 to Lazio.

Pandev and Rocchi with another penalty in the second half.

[D-Kin]

Serie A Week 23 - 17/2/08 (14.00 UK)
Lazio 3 - 0 Atalanta
Rocchi pens 26, 88 (L), Pandev 55 (L)
Stadio Olimpico

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Lazio had never received a penalty this season, but got two at once to defeat Atalanta.

Delio Rossi faced his former club, but there was no time for sentiment, as Lazio needed a victory to catch up to the Orobici. In 14th place going into this weekend, they weren't out of the relegation battle yet and fell 1-0 to Empoli last Sunday. Atalanta were in eighth position and twice fought back to hold Fiorentina 2-2.

The Bergamo boys last conquered the Olimpico in October 1997, but the home side were missing Mourad Meghni, Massimo Mutarelli, Fabio Firmani, Luciano Zauri, Lorenzo De Silvestri and the suspended Aleksandar Kolarov.

Goran Pandev's spectacular scissor-kick pass sent Tommaso Rocchi clear for Ferdinando Coppola to use his body as a shield from close range.

Pandev sent Christian Manfredini clear and the goalkeeper clattered into the former Chievo man, allowing Rocchi to convert the resulting penalty by sending Coppola the wrong way. That was the first spot-kick awarded to Lazio this season.

On the stroke of half-time Marco Ballotta needed to be alert to deny two great chances. First the oldest player in Serie A tipped a Cristiano Doni free kick out of the top corner, then he rushed out to close down Sergio Floccari.

Guarente came off the bench and immediately flashed a dangerous strike across the face of goal to skim the far top corner. Cristian Ledesma responded with one of his trademark piledrivers from 25 metres.

Pandev doubled the advantage after the restart with a persistent personal goal. Coppola did what he could and was helped by defenders to charge it down, but the Macedonian got the ball back to squeeze it in at the near post.

Ballotta was again decisive with an acrobatic save on Doni's flick from a Tissone assist.

Rolando Bianchi was brought down by Pellegrino for an extremely soft penalty and Rocchi blasted under the bar with his right foot. There was a curious moment as Bianchi had asked to take the spot-kick so he could break his Serie A duck, but Rocchi refused.

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Lazio: Ballotta; Behrami, Siviglia, Cribari, Radu; Mudingayi (Dabo 89), Ledesma, Manfredini; Mauri (De Silvestri 84); Pandev (Bianchi 79), Rocchi

Atalanta: Coppola; Capelli, Rivalta, Pellegrino, Bellini; Ferreira Pinto (Guarente 46), De Ascentis, Tissone, Langella (S Inzaghi 51); Doni; Floccari (Muslimovic 65)

Ref: Girardi

channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

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