Preview : Lazio vs Bologna

Kick-Off: Saturday, February 28, 18:00 CET, Stadio Olimpico, Roma

Lazio’s Fortunes Finally Turning?

The situation in the Lazio camp has calmed a little following the sound 2-0 victory over Lecce. After a disastrous run of results that saw Lazio starved of a win for seven games it finally looks like the Biancocelesti’s fortunes may finally be turning. Despite a decent overall display last Sunday, it cannot be ignored that Lecce hit the woodwork on numerous occasions and this certainly influenced the course of the game.

With the illusive win now under their belts, the Aquilotti have most certainly released some of the pressure that has been building in the past two months. It is now time for Delio Rossi’s men to push on with a run of positive results that would see them occupy a more respectable position in the standings. Given the looming Coppa Italia semi-final with Juventus on Tuesday, the challenge for Delio Rossi will be to focus his men for Bologna and not concede another slip-up.

Given seventh place is just two points adrift of the Biancocelesti’s current tally, the importance of the Bologna clash cannot be underestimated. It could prove to be a tough day at the office however, given reports that the Bologna are set to defend in numbers. Should Lazio manage to overcome Bologna, they will not only improve their current league position, but will also keep the positive momentum that will set them in good stead for the Coppa Italia.

Bologna Banking On Top Gun

Following last Saturday’s defeat at home to Inter, Sinisa Mihajlovic will have felt aggrieved that his Bologna side did not finish with at least a point against his former club. As Bologna make the trip south to Rome, the Serbian tactician will once again face one of his former employers with no fewer than five former Lazio players in his squad. This could prove an advantage for the Rossoblu who ousted Lazio 3-1 in the reverse fixture.

Despite some frailties at the back this season, Bologna hold a massive trump card in Marco Di Vaio currently the league’s leading marksman. With Di Vaio fronting the line, the Rossoblu are a constant threat for the opposition, and they have fared well on the road largely thanks to his generous goal haul. Having risen through the ranks in the Lazio youth system, Di Vaio has many friends and family still living in the capital, and he will be desperate to put in another influential performance in their presence on Saturday.

Since taking over from Daniele Arrigoni, Mihajlovic has done discreetly well at the helm, yet his Bologna side are still perilously close to the drop zone. After amassing a high number of draws, Bologna need to start notching up the victories that would see them close the ground on the breakaway sides above them. A surprise victory at the Olimpico would not only gift Bologna a vital three points, but would also offer some satisfaction to the large contingent of Rossoblu players, who used to ply their trade in the capital.

FORM GUIDE

Lazio

22 February: Lecce 0-2 Lazio

14 February: Lazio 1-1 Torino

8 February: Fiorentina 1-0 Lazio

1 February: Lazio 0-3 Milan

28 January: Sampdoria 3-1 Lazio

Bologna

21 February: Bologna 1-2 Inter

15 February: Napoli 1-1 Bologna

8 February: Udinese 1-0 Bologna

1 February: Bologna 1-3 Fiorentina

28 January: Atalanta 0-1 Bologna

TEAM NEWS

Lazio

In light of the crunch Coppa Italia semi-final with Juve next week, Delio Rossi may impose some turnover against Bologna given the importance of the clash. Mauro Zarate is certain to start against Bologna, as he is suspended for Tuesday’s encounter. Rozehnal and Radu hold hopes of winning back their starting places in defence.

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

Bologna

Sinisa Mihajlovic has few selection problems ahead of the encounter with his former club. Vangelis Moras is the only player set to miss out because of suspension whilst Gaby Mudingayi, Daniel Osvaldo, and Cristian Zenoni are all one booking short of a ban.

Probable Starting XI (4-5-1): Antonioli; Lanna, Britos, Terzi, Zenoni; Bombardini, Amoroso, Mingazzini, Mudingayi, Valiani; Di Vaio

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Neapolitan native Pasquale Foggia was inspirational in the victory over Lecce last Sunday. After netting the opener, he worked his socks off for the remainder of the game, providing a perfect link between defence and attack. Slowly emerging as a favourite with the Biancocelesti faithful, ‘Il Folletino’ will want to gift the crowd another gutsy performance and underline his importance to the side.

Top marksman Marco Di Vaio is arguably enjoying the best form of his career this season. Currently topping the scorer’s charts with sixteen goals, the former Lazio youth product could prove vital for Bologna's relegation struggle. Di Vaio will be determined as ever to score against his former employers and has vowed not to celebrate if he should do so.

PREDICTION

With one eye on next week’s encounter with Juve, Lazio must be careful not to underestimate Bologna as they did in the reverse tie back in October. Given Bologna are more prolific on the road this season, the Rossoblu should provide a stern test for the Biancocelesti. Given Bologna have not won away to Lazio for eleven years however, I think the Aquilotti will run out winners once more on Saturday.


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Interview with Rossi

Mister what you expect from the game tomorrow?
I repeat. We must talk little and do the facts. A game won or lost must not turn away from the conviction of being a good team. He awaited confirmation on the ground, otherwise the good performance of Lecce was on.
Let us dispel the taboo Olympic ..
All Olimpico win would be the result of a good performance. Certainly if I played with arrogance and softness have more difficulty finding space.
Think you have finally found best formation?
I think that the basic skeleton there's always been, then there were some situations that we do not have permission to give continuity to good performance, in addition to the interpreters. The problem is that we have been mixed.
How important is this for Lazio Foggia?
Foggia is a player who was born as something more, in the sense that it has the characteristics to be brilliant and strictly offensive player. In my opinion, however, has the technical, tactical and endurance, such as to give a balance to the team. The problem is that if you must put in the head.
In what sense?
It is assumed that an offensive player has to play near the door. Instead, by playing well, gives opponents a point of reference is only one must return to help the defense, but he must do to create more spaces forward.
About Matuzalem, do you have great room for improvement? According to me, i feel convinced that we have not seen the best Matuzalem as today.
What do you think of Bologna? The Bologna as many other teams, for great characteristic play better away from home. I expect to be playing the game to face, trying to exploit the situations that will be created.
Are you surprises with coach Mihajlovic?
No, I am not surprised. When playing was intelligent, stubborn, as well as having technical skills. Also a character I feel tough. I wonder how can Maradona surprised.
What do you think of the revival of Di Vaio?
Di Vaio know him well. The first year he played he did with me (to Salernitana, ndr), whereas in previous had never played, so I know well: it is devastating in the spaces. The problem is that when you hit certain levels, when you return back to serve time to eat wheat bread.
And 'the decisive moment of the season?
The defining moment will be in Spring, when will those who have worked better or worse. In that moment you decide championships. For this reason I continue to say that the classification must be seen in March.
Two matches in three days. We will turn over?
No, because we think batch by batch. The meetings need to be addressed one at a time. I think that a professional trained to deal with two close matches. Certainly not every Tuesday. At least I think so today.
In Bologna there was the first real fall season ..
More than a drop in yield was half of the total black out. Then we are back in the game, but it was too late.
But how do you now Lazio?
We must improve every day, both as a focus, efficiency and intensity. We must do so in the field working and talking just outside.
Think you have found the right defense?
The problem of defense is not individual but the entire team, except that features something to give always. Regarding men, I think that now this is the quartet that speaks better. But this does not exclude that already tomorrow there may be some changes.
How about Kolarov .. ?
This player who came last year from another type of football, but the technical quality and physical activity. Clearly needs to improve, but by its quality and the age to do so. I grew up and I see so much in my opinion have much room for improvement.


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Mihajlovic: "It would be nice to train the Lazio"

The coach of Bologna, Sinisa Mihajlovic, will meet tomorrow for the first time in the Lazio coach, his former football team, here's his sensation: "I'll be back in a city where I was leading, where I won so much but I should have and could win Moreover, given that I played Lazio in a strong, full of samples.'ll be back in Rome, in the town of my wife and my children, but we come back with the Bologna and then I can not take the feelings, because the Bologna has to think only to make three points. We expect a difficult game against Lazio, which is a very good team, but it is time that the Bologna again to win. " Mihajlovic then focuses on his future: "I gave my word to Bologna and keep if we save will remain here, even if I called a team meeting. I to Lazio? It would be nice, it is important to a team with a great company behind. But I do not want to think about it. "


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Lazio dreams: Ivanovic, Veron, Floccari

At the end of the championship are still missing three months, but the Lazio after the season rather exciting is going to be found ready to strengthen the organic grafts with targeted and quality needed to do better.

Il Corriere dello Sport today is an excess role in biancocelesti role of projects, from the goalies, a role that should be confirmed and Carrizo Muslera.

To defend the number one goal is always Branislav Ivanovic, despite the Chelsea defender is a step from Fiorentina. The alternative is called Edu Dracena, Fenerbahce Brazilian which is spoken in Latium key already in January, leaving alive the runway Miranda. The new name is Bellusci.

In midfield, apart from the many names that are made, the avenues seem to be those that lead to McDonald Marigo, the Parma midfielder Kenyan and Juan Sebastian Veron, who in June could leave Estudiantes to return to Rome.

Forward, it is clear, you need to Lazio this is a bit of weight, able to make the most of the work of various Pandev, Zarate, Rocchi and Foggia. The applicant is the name of Sergio Floccari, but the negotiation is very difficult mainly because of competition from Roma and Juve. So i could tack on biancocelesti Odemwingie, Nigerian striker 27 enne pursuant to Lokomotiv Moscow, with Russian passport


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Juventus And Inter To Fight For Lazio's Goran Pandev

The two giants are ready to rumble for Pandev, who could leave his club in the summer if he doesn't get a new deal... Juventus and Inter will be fighting for Lazio's Goran Pandev as well as the Scudetto this season, as the Macedonian international has not signed a new deal at the Olimpico.

Pandev's current contract will expire in June 2010 and he could be free to find himself another club as soon as January. Lazio want him to stay, but the Rome-based club have not moved in to secure the striker's services for the future.

The Bianconcelesti have been distracted by negotiations with Arab club Al-Sadd over the Mauro Zarate deal, and they seem to have neglected Pandev.

Events at Formello have led Sportmediaset.it to believe that both Juventus and Inter will fight their own transfer derby for the prolific striker.

Reports suggest the Italian giants are making enquiries regarding the striker's availability and negotiations could take off in the summer. Aquilotti president Claudio Lotito has always stated his stance over the club's top players, but with no new deal forthcoming, Pandev could be tempted by offers from Juve and Inter.

Champions League football could also be a key factor in the possible move as Lazio are unlikely to qualify for Europe's elite club competition this term.


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Candidates to Replace Rossi

Lotito is running out of patience and it could be all change sooner rather than later... Lazio president Claudio Lotito is planning a coaches lottery as more doubts are cast upon Delio Rossi's future at the Olimpico.

Leggo claims the fiery chief has lined up four potential candidates to replace the under fire coach if his marriage with Lazio breaks down. The Biancocelesti have struggled this term, and hopes of European football have suffered as a result.

Lotito does not want to miss out of the financial benefits offered by qualification for Europe and this could lead to Rossi paying the price of failure.

Reports suggest Siena coach Marco Giampaolo, Sampdoria tactician Walter Mazzarri, Cagliari's Massimiliano Allegri and Livorno's Leonardo Acori have all been added to the list.

Although the voices over a probable sacking have grown louder in recent weeks, the Rome-based club are likely to wait and see if the team pushes itself into Europe.

Failure to reach the minimum objective of a UEFA Cup place could have the writing on the wall for Rossi.




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Marcos Angeleri Will Play For Lazio Next Season – Igli Tare

The club's sporting director has insisted that Angeleri will be joining the Biancocelesti in the summer of 2009... Lazio are suffering another disappointing season in Serie A, despite a positive start to this campaign. The Rome-based club sit in 11th place in the Serie A standings.

Some pundits believe major changes will take place once the season is over but sporting director Igli Tare has made one thing clear, "The position of Lazio on the [Marcos] Angeleri story is very clear. Next season he will play with Lazio."

The Biancocelesti arrested a run of poor results last weekend, beating Lecce 2-0.

"We are at a key time and the next two matches represent the crossroads of our season,” Tare explained to Sky. “[My] renewal does not depend on our final placement [in the league standings]. There is a willingness to make major purchases."

Regarding Matuzalem, who is at Lazio on loan from Real Zaragoza, Tare said, “I have no doubts [about his ability]. I have always believed in him.”

Estudiantes and Argentine international defender Angeleri has also been linked with moves to Fiorentina and Inter, despite declaring he would like to join Lazio. The Biancocelesti have claimed that a deal is nearly complete.


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Goalkeepers, Lazio think Coppola

Waiting to know the future of Carrizo and Muslera (either leave Lazio) is EPR scours the market to find another reliable goalkeeper for next season. According to reports the Corriere dello Sport, was a survey done for Ferdinando Coppola current number one from Atalanta. The player is in joint ownership between the club and AC Milan .

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