REVIEW : LAZIO - CHIEVO 0-3

Team News

Delio Rossi confirmed the winning formula used in last weekend’s clash with Napoli with Tommaso Rocchi starting yet again from the bench despite his impressive brace against the Partenopei. A win for the home side would edge them closer to the UEFA zone and keep the positive momentum going.

Mimmo Di Carlo opted to field ex-Lazio forward Stephen Makinwa in the frontline from the off, following his debut goal against Cagliari last Sunday. The Nigerian international had something to prove on his return to the Olimpico after failing to impress in season’s past in the Capital.

First Half
Lazio paid their respects to former President Ugo Longo who passed away during the week after suffering a long term illness. Both sides shared in a minutes silence around the centre circle to remember a man who contributed to Lazio’s recent survival; following the clubs financial crisis in the post-Cragnotti period.

Chievo started with a high tempo pressing game as they look to hurry the home side on every occasion. Girardi set his own marker as he waved on numerous fouls in the opening minutes in a bid to get the match flowing.

After just 16 minutes Makinwa pulled a hamstring after a quick sprint onto a through ball and the Nigerian was forced off early, further underlining his misfortune in the Capital.

On 26 minutes the away side took the lead after a great ball from the right from Marcolini found a towering Bogdani in the box. The Chievo substitute headed home wonderfully to gift his side a vital lead.

Less than sixty seconds later the Gialloblu had doubled their lead as Pellissier was set through on a goal with just Siviglia to beat. The Chievo captain rounded the Lazio stopper and floated the ball coolly past an advancing Muslera leaving the home crowd stunned after a quick double blow.

Lazio were stunned and made heavy work of building up a well worked attack which would enable them to break through the well organised Chievo defence.

On 38 minutes the home side finally showed some initiative in attack as Zarate played a wonderful give-and-go with Foggia on the edge of the box. The Chievo backline held strong however to block the subsequent shot from the young Argentine.

In the dying seconds of the half the home side went excruciating close as Foggia rounded his marker in the box bringing the ball onto his right foot and curling a great shot goal-bound at the far post. Fortunately for the visitors Sorrentino read the shot well to steer the ball just wide of the post.

Second Half

Delio Rossi wasted no time in making changes after the break and he introduced Rocchi and Mauri to give his side more depth going forward off the ball.

The home side continued to make heavy work of threatening the visitors goal as they attacked with little pace or urgency.

On the hour mark Chievo should have added a third to their haul when Bogdani found himself alone in front of Muslera from close range. The Albanian could not compose himself and his scuffed effort was smothered by a composed Muslera.

The game took a turn for the worse on 65 minutes when Girardi brandished a red card to Alexander Kolarov for a tactical foul on Yepes. After allowing play to run on for almost an hour Girardi had immediately increased his severity in decisions to the fury of the Lazio bench.

Lazio continued to push forward in search of a goal but it proved more and more difficult to test Sorrentino as Chievo started to get men behind the ball as they looked to protect their precious lead.

With seven minutes left on the clock Chievo sealed the victory when Colucci served Pellissier at the back post. The Italian tapped in from close range for his second of the game and the home side had clearly been made to pay dearly for Kolarov’s sending off early in the half.

The Flying Donkeys held out for the final minutes taking a precious three points back to Verona. With Torino and Bologna both suffering defeats the Gialloblu climbed out of the danger zone for the first time this season. Lazio were left to rue a bad day at the office and an opportunity to make further advances towards Europe.

Goals:
27’ Bogdani (C)
28’ Pellissier (C)
84’ Pellissier (C)

Teams

Lazio (4-4-2): Muslera, Lichtsteiner, Cribari, Siviglia (Rozehnal 82’), Kolarov (Sent off 65'); Brocchi (Mauri 45’), Ledesma, Matuzalem Foggia; Pandev (Rocchi 45’), Zarate,

Chievo (4-1-3-2): Sorrentino; Frey, Morero, Yepes, Mantovani; Rigoni; Marcolini, Pinzi, Luciano (Colucci 72’); Makinwa (Bogdani 19’), Pellissier (Sardo 87’)