Serie A' MD27: Lazio - Livorno [09-03-08]

[dukeofdavinci]

Serie A Week 27 - 9/3/08 (14.00 UK)
Lazio - Livorno

Stadio Olimpico

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Lazio’s meetings with Livorno are always politically charged encounters. Battles between Paolo Di Canio and Cristiano Lucarelli in 2005 were more than just fights on the pitch – they were clashes of culture and ideology.

This year the atmosphere couldn’t be more different. The Biancocelesti haven’t won in three games while Livorno, despite beating Catania at the weekend, are just two points above the drop zone.

Delio Rossi’s side have taken the lead in seven games this season only to lose or draw, costing the Aquilotti a precious 12 points. In October Lazio went ahead against rivals Roma before going down 3-2. In the crucial Champions League tie with Olympiacos, Goran Pandev sent his team into advantage but the Biancoceleste still lost 2-1. Siena and Genoa both came back to steal victories from Lazio.

The last such occasion was at San Siro on Sunday when, after taking the lead through Rolando Bianchi early in the second half, former Laziale Massimo Oddo equalised for Milan in the 66th minute.

To make matters worse for the Rome outfit young left-back Lorenzo De Silvestri will not be available after his sending off against the Rossoneri. Rossi will also be without midfield guardian Gaby Mudingayi, compounding the Laziali’s defensive problems – the two-time Scudetto winners have conceded 33 goals in this campaign and have the fourth worst attack in Serie A.

Livorno recorded their first win in six games against Catania thanks to a glittering second half strike from trequartista Alessandro Diamanti who was playing with Serie D side Fucecchio six years ago, and, justifiably, Giancarlo Camolese was thrilled with the way the Amaranto played.

“After going in front we dominated the game and had tens of shots on goal,” affirmed the former Lazio midfielder turned Coach.

The Labronici have performed as well away as they have at home in 2007-08 picking up three wins on their travels. Striker Francesco Tavano has gone four matches without a goal, but Lazio will have to watch their backs given the 28-year-olds resurgence over the last eight months.

Keep an eye on: Francesco Tavano (Livorno) – Ciccio has scored 10 goals this season and has given the Amaranto hope of remaining in Serie A next year. A late developer like Luca Toni, Lazio should beware of his uncanny ability at netting braces.

Last season: Lazio 1-0 Livorno

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


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

Livorno (probable): Amelia; Grandoni, Knezevic, Galante; Balleri, Pulzetti, De Vezze, Filippini, Pasquale; Tristan, Tavano

Ref: To follow...

channel4.com - Football Italia

[dukeofdavinci]

Serie A Week 27 - 9/3/08 (14.00 UK)
Lazio 2 - 0 Livorno
Rocchi 15 (La), Pandev 25 (La)
Stadio Olimpico

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Lazio made short work of troubled Livorno to end their three-match winless streak.

These have always been politically charged encounters, as Lazio's far-right fanbase riled up the Livorno left-wing element. This time there was more to worry about on the field, as the Biancocelesti were without a win in three and the Amaranto were just two points above the drop zone. Lorenzo De Silvestri sat out a ban and joined the injured Gaby Mudingayi on the sidelines.

Livorno only ever won here in 1943, losing their other 14 visits to the capital. Marco Amelia punched away a Tommaso Rocchi slalom and snapshot at the near post.

Rocchi beat Sereni eventually on 15 minutes, although it took two attempts. His first volley from Cristian Ledesma's whipped-in free kick was parried, but Rocchi got the second into the back of the net from six yards.

Lazio doubled their advantage with the trident combining. Rolando Bianchi tried to hold up a cross, Rocchi's shot was charged down and Goran Pandev's final effort from the D took a deflection off Simone Pavan.

Alessandro Diamanti drilled just over from distance, but he was substituted by centre-forward Erjon Bogdani at the break.

A set-piece was cleared to the D where Nico Pulzetti's screamer was deflected just past the top corner.

Amelia was kept very busy around the hour mark, making a series of saves on Rocchi's long-range effort and especially a Radu header from point-blank range.

Amelia also turned a Bianchi angled drive out for a corner and another Radu header downards, as there was only ever really one team in it. The tension got to Livorno, as a scuffle broke out in the final minutes between Christian Manfredini, Antonio Filippini and David Balleri.


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Lazio: Ballotta; Behrami, Siviglia, Cribari, Radu; Dabo (Kolarov 84), Ledesma, Manfredini; Pandev, Bianchi (Meghni 75), Rocchi (Tare 91)

Livorno: Amelia; Grandoni, Pavan, Galante; Pulzetti (Balleri 79), Vidigal, De Vezze (Loviso 64), A Filippini, Pasquale; Diamanti (Bogdani 46); Tavano

Ref: Mazzoleni

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