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 ^_^
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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