Zarate, Mauri and Muslera in San Vito Romano

Was held this morning at the Teather "Caesar" of San Vito Romano, the expected meeting of representatives of the players with the students of the school "Silvio Pellico" first stage of the "La Lazio in schools." Read More..

Carrizo's Lazio discontent

Argentine international goalkeeper Juan Pablo Carrizo has stressed his frustration at playing second fiddle for Lazio.

The talented shot-stopper arrived in Italy last summer touted as one of the best 'keepers in South America.

However, after a few costly errors, Carrizo was dropped and has been a reserve to Fernando Muslera.

In spite of a lack of Serie A football, the 24-year-old is Diego Maradona's first choice for his country's World Cup 2010 qualifiers against Venezuela and Bolivia.

“I don't know why I'm still sitting on the bench at Lazio,” Carrizo told the ANSA news agency.

“I have no idea what to think about the whole situation, but at least I can play in two games now and show my ability.”

Carrizo is being tipped to return to his homeland in the summer, but he may also have some European suitors.


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Lotito Furios..!!

Lazio President Claudio Lotito believes something has to change at the club if the Biancocelesti are to get back to winning ways.

Lazio lost 1-0 at Catania on Saturday evening and are now ninth in the table with eight games remaining this season.

The Biancocelesti have now lost their last two games and still have Roma, Inter and Juventus to play before the end of the campaign.

“It is time the team changed its attitude and gave something back to this club which has given it a lot,” Lotito said.

“Everyone is under examination, everyone is responsible, even those who believe themselves to be great champions.

“From now until the end of the championship we need a different approach, otherwise I will take unforeseen and unexpected decisions.

“I will be tough with everyone,” he concluded. “Now they are all on international duty, but when they return, they will realise who Lotito really is.”

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Catani 1-0 Lazio

Serie A Week 29- 21/3/09 (17.00 UK)
Catania 1 - 0 Lazio
Paolucci 24 (C)
Michele Paolucci's goal proved enough to beat Lazio, as Catania goalkeeper Albano Bizzarri saved a Goran Pandev penalty. These two teams are plagued by inconsistency this season, as the Biancocelesti won three on the trot before a 3-0 home humiliation at the hands of Chievo last Sunday. Catania managed to win 4-0 at Palermo then lose in Sicily to Siena. The visitors missed Ousmane Dabo, Francelino Matuzalem and the suspended Aleksandr Kolarov, while Davide Baiocco and Taka Morimoto were out for Catania. Lazio's record here was of six defeats, two draws and just one win in 1961, but surprisingly they dropped Mauro Zarate to the bench. Goran Pandev shinned over from a good position, while Giuseppe Mascara curled two free kicks just inches past the crossbar. Catania had the better chances and took the lead after 24 minutes. It was a classic counter-attack and one created almost by accident, as Mascara threaded through for Pablo Ledesma's dreadful scuffed shot, which turned into an assist for Michele Paolucci at the back post. It was his seventh of the season, a new personal best in Serie A. Sebastiano Siviglia was furious with Paolucci for a supposed elbow and the referee had to separate them. Mascara is accustomed to scoring incredible goals and tried to curl in directly from the corner flag, just clipping the crossbar. Lazio had few opportunities, but threatened an equaliser in first half stoppages when Pasquale Foggia powered a header inches wide of the far upright. Stefan Lichtsteiner's shot took a deflection off Ciro Capuano so it swung towards the near bottom corner, but Albano Bizzarri did brilliantly to readjust his position and parry. That small spell of pressure boosted Lazio's confidence and they were more aggressive at the start of the second half. Only a fantastic one-handed save from Bizzarri prevented Cristian Ledesma's free kick from going under the bar. On the counter Siviglia needed a crucial header to intercept the cross for Paolucci at the back post, then Nando Muslera smothered a Paolucci low drive on the counter. Christian Manfredini made way for Stefano Mauri and the 4-3-1-2 system, but Catania continued to have chances on the counter with Paolucci firing wide of the near post. Lazio were awarded a penalty on the hour mark, as Pandev was nudged by Silvestre as he was about to pull the trigger, the Catania defender mistiming his challenge. The Macedonian got back up to take the spot-kick, but Bizzarri got the corner to his left and palmed it off the line! Tommaso Rocchi only got a weak header to Pandev's chipped ball over the defence, while Zarate replaced the player whose penalty was saved. Rocchi managed to test Bizzarri with an angled drive that was fingertipped round the far post. Martinez tried to dispossess Emilson Cribari and burst into the box, but he seemed to lose his balance rather than be pushed, so the referee waved away timid penalty appeals.

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Review : Catania - Lazio 1-0

Catania 4-3-3: Bizzarri, Potenza, Silvestre, Stovini, Capuano, Biaginati, Ledesma (Silvestri), Tedesco, Martinez, Paolucci (Izco), Mascara (Llama).

Lazio 4-4-2: Muslera, Lichtsteiner, Siviglia, Cribari, Radu, Foggia, Ledesma, Brocchi (Meghni), Manfredini (Mauri), Pandev (Zarate), Rocchi.

Goals: Paolucci 24'

Cards: Martinez (Catania), Silvestre (Catania), Lichtsteiner (Lazio)

Catania have stunned Lazio to move closer towards the European places after overcoming the Romans at the Massiminio. Delio Rossi's men were left red-faced in Sicily as Walter Zenga's side marched home to another three points as they continue to impress. Paolucci fired the Sicilians in front in the first half, with Pandev fluffing from 12 yards for Lazio.

First Half

Lazio kicked off, and it was the Roman side who threatened early on. Swiss defender Stephan Lichtsteiner saw Tommaso Rocchi make a neat run in behind Catania's defence. The defender whipped in the cross and Rocchi launched himself towards the ball with his toe, but Lorenzo Stovini stuck his boot out to stop the danger.

The early kicks were not too exciting as both teams started rather blandly. It didn't take Catania long to get into their stride though. Giuseppe Mascara's shot from distance was clumsily handled by Pasquale Foggia on the edge of his box. The referee didn't want to hear the protests as he awarded the free-kick. The same Mascara stepped up to whip his strike over the wall. However, the ball had too much pace behind it as it came down behind goal.

Lazio coach Delio Rossi asked his players for a good performance in Sicily during his pre-match press conference. He didn't get it though as a number of chances were spurned. Goran Pandev and Rocchi have been lethal this season, but that was not being reflected during a less than perfect showing from the Roman side. The Macedonian striker turned Stovini inside out before finishing wildly. Chances were at a premium for both sides as the coaches on the bench danced around the touchline in frustration.

Catania did dominate in terms of chances. Rossi's men failed to rouse themselves, and seemed to lack confidence in possession. A lack of accuracy and some lapses in focus saw the away side struggle. Christian Manfredini was the next Lazio player to fall for Mascara's trickery. The Italian went in too hard, and another free-kick went to the Rossoazzurri. Mascara stepped up, but the outcome was the same as his first - the ball was not vicious enough to see Fernando Muslera work.

Lazio's demise continued. The Rome-based outfit were made to pay for their slackness. A quick break saw Catania chew up the Massiminio turf as the opposition struggled to track back. Mascara saw Pablo Ledesma's run down the middle and fed him nicely. The Argentinean midfielder swung wildly from the edge of the box, but his miss turned to gold as it found Michele Paolucci on the back post. The former Atalanta striker needed no second invitation as he powered the ball across the line to give his side a deserved lead.

Second Half

Catania didn't take their foot off the gas as they continued to press their opponents. Paolucci should have doubled his side's lead early on when he was found by Ledesma's quick throughball. However, the Italian blasted the ball over. The Biancocelesti tried to get the ball rolling with Rocchi and Pandev coming to life as the half progressed. The Italian hitman found his striking partner. However, Pandev failed miserably from close range.

Lazio were then handed a lifeline after Matias Silvestre brought down Pandev in the box. The referee had no choice but to awarded the spot kick. It was a clumsy challenge from the Argentinean international. The Macedonian stepped up but his powerful drive down towards the left post was met with the grateful palms of Albano Bizzarri's hands. The goalkeeper guessed right to save his side as Pandev blew it for his.

Despite the miss, the Rome-based side continued to attack as they chased the result, but they were wasteful. Manfredini crossed in for Rocchi and although he met the ball with his head, Bizzarri was there to add to Lazio's frustrations. Catania were left feeling furious after Jorge Martinez was dragged down by Sanchez Cribari in the penalty area. The Brazilian defender took man before ball, but the referee waved play on.

It seems as if just a shade of luck was on Lazio's side as it could have been given. Lazio did carve out chances as they tried desperately to get back into the game, but they were not incisive enough in the final third.

The result sees Catania move further towards the European places, and within a point of the Biancocelesti.

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