Preview : Lazio - Chievo

The crisis that hit these clubs before Christmas seems to have subsided and both will be confident of emerging from this match with something.

Delio Rossi was set for the sack after a string of two points from six games, but has now notched up four consecutive victories including a Coppa Italia semi-final triumph over Juventus.

In Serie A alone the defence has clearly found its feet, keeping three straight clean sheets, while the strikers are balancing each other out nicely. Mauro Zarate bagged a brace to beat Bologna 2-0 and a week later Tommaso Rocchi came off the bench to do the same in Naples. Is it Goran Pandev’s turn this time?

Chievo were propping up the table not too long ago, but Domenico Di Carlo has hit his stride and they are joint third from bottom with Torino. The key to avoiding relegation appears to be picking up points on a regular basis, which the Flying Donkeys have certainly been doing consistently with just one defeat in their last 10. Granted, only three of those have been wins, but for a team that at one stage lost six on the trot, that is a vast improvement.

They already caused an upset in their last away match, conquering Atalanta’s Stadio Azzurri d’Italia where Inter had been hammered, and were leading at Fiorentina before a controversial last-minute strike turned it around. Luciano is injured for this trip, but Vincenzo Italiano could get a start after pressure from the fans to pick the midfielder with the thunderbolt shot. It’s a return for Stephen Makinwa, who left Lazio in the summer.

Rossi has said the trickiest part of his job is choosing which of the three strikers to bench in every game. He has a tough decision, as Zarate scored two in his last home match – breaking a two-month drought – and veteran Rocchi repeated the trick at the San Paolo.

There is always the option of fielding both together with Pandev on the sidelines, as Pasquale Foggia is doing extremely well in a supporting role. Mourad Meghni, Ousmane Dabo, Mobido Diakhitè and Simone Del Nero remain injury doubts.

Keep an eye on: Tommaso Rocchi (Lazio) – It says something about the strength of this side that a forward who scores two goals is not guaranteed a spot in the starting XI the next week. Rocchi came off the bench at Napoli to get that brace and so is a danger no matter how long he’s on the field for.

Last season: Not played
Form guide: Lazio (L D W W W) Chievo (D D L W D)

Lazio (probable): Muslera; Lichtsteiner, Siviglia, Cribari, Kolarov; Brocchi, Ledesma, Matuzalem; Foggia; Rocchi, Pandev

Chievo (probable): Sorrentino; Frey, Morero, Yepes, Mantovani; Rigoni, Italiano, Marcolini; Pinzi; Pellissier, Makinwa Read More..

Breaking News : Ugo Longo Dies

Ugo Longo, who was Lazio President from 2003 to 2004, has died following a long illness, aged 68.

Longo was the club’s lawyer for many years and took over the Presidency when former patron Sergio Cragnotti was caught up in a bankruptcy scandal.

He was in charge from January 2003 to July 2004, when he handed the reins to new owner Claudio Lotito.

Lazio have already asked the Lega Calcio for permission to wear black armbands as a sign of mourning for Longo and a minute’s silence ahead of tomorrow’s match with Chievo. Read More..

Arsenal Interested with Muslera

It seems that Arsenal are interested in Lazio 22 year old goalkeeper Fernando Muslera, so, according to Il Messaggero, the Italian club chairman Claudio Lotito is ready to extend the Uruguayan player's contract until June 2014.

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PREVIEW : LAZIO - CHIEVO

Lazio look to continue their revival as they host struggling Chievo at the Olimpico...

Kick-off: Sunday, March 15, 15:00 CET, Stadio Olimpico, Roma

Eagles Take To The Skies

Following a moral boosting victory away to Napoli last Sunday the mood on the blue side of the capital is sky high. Less than a month ago it looked as if Lazio’s European ambitions for next season were fading fast. After re-shuffling his pack however, Delio Rossi has rediscovered Lazio’s winning formula, and with four consecutive victories in all competitions there is renewed belief the Biancocelesti can compete with anyone on their day.

With arch-rivals Roma now just four points above them in sixth place, it is clear that the most pressing objective for Delio Rossi’s side is to surpass the Lupi and move into the UEFA Cup zone. Given Roma’s recent Champions League exit together with a recent injury crisis, Lazio have a perfect opportunity to make up some ground in the month leading up to the derby.

With momentum on their side it is imperative that Lazio keep grinding out results as the business end of the season draws near. Should the Biancocelesti continue on their winning run, then they could find themselves on the brink of Champions League qualification as the season reaches its climax. Delio Rossi will be aware of his side’s frailty with regards to confidence, and therefore only a win will do against the Gialloblu on Sunday.

Chievo Closing In On Safety

There is renewed optimism surrounding the Chievo camp as the possibility of moving out of the drop zone becomes more of a reality. Despite struggling in the first half of the season, the Gialloblu have lost only once since the turn of the year and only goal difference is stopping them from peeking their head out of the drop zone.

Domenic Di Carlo has turned the Flying Donkeys from a solid unit into a side that can still score goals despite getting men behind the ball. It is no secret that the root of Chievo’s difficulties was down to their lack of firepower before Christmas. Now that the Gialloblu are scoring regularly, the points are starting to trickle in giving renewed hope of a great escape.

Chievo will be well aware of Lazio’s recent revival but will certainly travel south confident of frustrating the Aquile on their own patch. After having gifted victory to Lazio in the reverse tie with a late own goal, there is also a slight incentive on taking back what’s due. After having lost only once to Lazio at the Olimpico, Chievo will be confident they can return home with some precious points, and make another small step towards survival.

FORM GUIDE

Lazio

8 March: Napoli 0-2 Lazio

3 March: Lazio 2-1 Juventus (Coppa Italia)

28 February: Lazio 2-0 Bologna

22 February: Lecce 0-2 Lazio

14 February: Lazio 1-1 Torino

Chievo

8 March: Chievo 1-1 Cagliari

1 March: Atalanta 0-2 Chievo

21 February: Fiorentina 2-1 Chievo

15 February: Chievo 1-1 Catania

8 February: Torino 1-1 Chievo

TEAM NEWS

Lazio

Rossi looks set to confirm the winning formula used in last weekend’s clash with Napoli. Tommaso Rocchi makes a return to the starting eleven following his impressive brace against Napoli. Modibo Diakite and Simone Del Nero will both miss the encounter due to injury.

Probable Starting XI (4-4-2): Muslera, Lichtsteiner, Cribari, Siviglia, Kolarov; Brocchi, Ledesma, Matuzalem, Foggia; Rocchi, Zarate

Chievo

Di Carlo has no selection problems ahead of the trip south. Mauro Esposito, Fabio Moro and Sergio Pellissier are all just one booking away from possible suspensions. Following his first goal since his loan move from Lazio in January, Stephen Makinwa is confirmed in the forward line alongside Pellissier.

Probable Starting XI (4-3-1-2): Sorrentino; Frey, Morero, Yepes, Mantovani; Italiano, Rigoni, Marcolini; Pinzi; Pellissier, Makinwa

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Lazio captain Tommaso Rocchi underlined his importance last Sunday coming on as a substitute to score a second half brace. Having spent much of the season on the bench, ‘TommyGol’ has found it hard to find space in the starting eleven given the impressive form of both Mauro Zarate and Goran Pandev. After scoring with his only his second touch at the San Paolo, the Veneto native proved he still has the eye for goal that sets him among the most prolific strikers in Lazio's history.

Nigerian marksman Stephen Makinwa has found renewed confidence since his January switch from Lazio to Chievo. After having struggled for first team action in season’s past he is now finding his way for the Flying Donkeys. With Makinwa in the side, the Gialloblu have added muscle in their frontline and this is paying dividends as Chievo have scored in every game since his arrival.


PREDICTION

Given the impressive form of Delio Rossi’s men over the past few weeks, few will be predicting an upset when the Biancocelesti host the Gialloblu on Sunday. Lazio must be careful not to underestimate their struggling opposition who have only lost once in the last ten rounds. The away side will certainly look to frustrate Lazio, and will give everything in order to return home with some precious points.

Lazio 2-0 Chievo ^_^

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Highlight Napoli Lazio 0 - 2

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Napoli 0 - 2 Lazio

Napoli (4-3-2-1): Navarro; Santacroce (Maggio, 66’), Cannavaro, Rinaudo, Aronica; Pazienza (Russotto, 73’), Blasi, Bogliacino; Hamsik, Lavezzi; Zalayeta (Denis, 71’)

Lazio (4-4-2): Muslera; Lichtsteiner, Siviglia, Cribari, Kolarov; Brocchi, Ledesma, Matuzalem (De Silvestri, 71’), Foggia (Mauri, 63’); Pandev, Zarate (Rocchi, 55’)

GOALS
57’ Rocchi (Lazio)
65’ Rocchi (Lazio)

Pre-Match And Team News

Both sides were in a precarious position heading into this contest, as their dreams of achieving European qualification next term heavily relied on the eventual outcome of this match. Napoli were desperately struggling in 11th place prior to kick-off, and they were aware of the fact that defeat would see them slip further down the table, depending on other results. Meanwhile, Lazio had the opportunity to narrow the gap between themselves and their cross town rivals Roma, the team that occupied the sixth and final European qualifying position.

The home side were dealt a crushing blow a day prior to the contest, as their playmaker Walter Gargano was ruled out for the remainder of the season with a serious fracture to the fifth metatarsal in his left foot. In addition to this, the club’s new signing Jesus Datolo was also forced to miss out, as a result of an ankle problem.

The Biancocelesti were looking good on the injury front in the lead up to this match, due to the fact that they had no serious problems to contend with. The biggest issue for Delio Rossi however came in attack, as he opted to start with Mauro Zarate and Goran Pandev up front, meaning that the captain Tommaso Rocchi was left out yet again.

First Half

The visitors got the play underway in Naples, and they did not take long to make a promising move forward, as both Zarate and Matuzalem had opportunities within the first 90 seconds of play. Some fantastic defending by Cannavaro in particular, prevented the pair from getting their shots away, meaning that the keeper Navarro was not made to work early on.

Just five minutes later however, Muslera was forced to make a stunning save at the other end, to deny Lavezzi from close range. The Argentinean attacker was gifted an opportunity to break the deadlock, however unfortunately for his sake he failed to beat Lazio’s Uruguayan goal keeper from all of ten yards. The keeper was made to work again on 10 minutes, when he coolly came from his line to meet a free kick taken by Bogliacino.

The capital club slowly began to take control of the contest, as they were in command in the middle of the park. They went close to opening the scoring yet again, when Zarate attempted a long range effort on 14 minutes that narrowly missed the target. Despite their control however, the home side kept at it, and went close to scoring themselves through Zalayeta just moments later, although his header sailed over the bar.

Lazio continued to press, and incredibly they failed to break the deadlock yet again on 22 minutes. Kolarov’s tremendous run on the left eventually resulted in him cutting the ball back to Zarate, however despite his time and space, the Argentinean failed to make decent contact with the ball. His miss hit was perfectly positioned for the sliding Brocchi; however he somehow failed to hit the target from only a few yards out.

Both sides struggled to find a way through the opposing defence for the next ten or so minutes, as both looked determined and confident at the back. Hamsik had a penalty shout for the home side after half an hour of play; however nothing came of it, as the referee called for play to continue. With exception to that opportunity, neither side tested Navarro or Muslera in goals for the remainder of the half.

After a bright opening, the intensity certainly dropped in the latter stages, as the players all looked tentative when moving forward. There was plenty to play for in the second half, as the score was deadlocked at the break.

Second Half

The home side resumed proceedings in their very own San Paolo stadium, and somewhat surprisingly, neither coach made a change at the interval. The half commenced exactly how the first ended, as both sides were dull and uninspiring when in possession of the ball.

Having said this though, Napoli had a fantastic opportunity to open the scoring on 50 minutes, when Muslera was forced to rush from his line to deal with a cross by Santacroce. The young defender did exceptionally well to beat an opponent on the right, and his ball into the area was even better, however the opposing keeper was quick to react and deny Hamsik of a free header on goal.

The home fans began to lift in voice, as they could sense that their side were slowly beginning to work themselves into a commanding position. Muslera was tested again by Aronica, who struck the ball with some force from long range. The Roman club simply could not get the ball past the half way line, as the Partenopei began to take charge.

Delio Rossi responded by making the first switch of the afternoon, as Zarate was taken from the field, and replaced by the captain Rocchi on 55 minutes. The change had an immediate impact, as the substitute managed to open the scoring for the Biancocelesti completely against the run of play just two minutes later. Foggia’s excellent vision saw him play a long ball forward to his skipper, and after making his way from the half way line with the ball at his feet, the 31-year-old calmly slotted it past Navarro to open the scoring.

The Lazio coach made his second switch on 63 minutes, as Foggia was replaced by Mauri. Incredibly two minutes following the substitution, Lazio grabbed their second of the night, through Rocchi once again. A free kick taken by Ledesma took a massive deflection, which eventually fell to the feet of Rocchi, who, on the edge of the area, sensationally volleyed home his second of the afternoon.

Edy Reja went on to make three changes in the next seven minutes following Rocchi’s second goal, as he brought on Maggio, Denis and Russotto. The three substitutes failed to have a major impact on proceedings however, and with less than 15 minutes remaining, it seemed as if Napoli were destined for yet another disappointing result.

Muslera was once again called in to action on 80 minutes, as he made two critical saves to ensure that his side kept hold of their two goal advantage. His first save required quick thinking, as a low cross in by Lavezzi sailed straight through to the keeper, whilst the second came about following a powerful shot from Aronica, who failed to beat Muslera from close range.

Having failed to make the most of those glaring opportunities, it was becoming increasingly likely that the capital club would manage to hold onto their advantage and their clean sheet. Unfortunately for the sake of the home fans, that is exactly how it ended, as Lazio held on to their 2-0 advantage, to attain a crucial three points in the process.

The result means that Napoli are winless in their past nine league matches, with just two draws in this time, whilst Lazio have now won four matches in succession, in all competitions, as they continue their impressive resurgence to find themselves in seventh place, just four points adrift of Roma.
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