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LAZIO, Interest for Vangioni

Lazio seem interested in Newell's old Boys' 22 year old midfielder Leonel Vangioni. The player has the same agent of the Roman team gaolkeeper Carrizo, and would be perfect in De Rossi's squad.

LAZIO, Matuzalem's agent: "Francelino wants to remain"

Interviewed by Radio Erre 2, Lazio midfielder Francelino Matuzalem's agent Umberto Fusco, has declared: "Lazio has a right a ransom, previously agreed with Real Zaragoza, if they will want to they will sign him without any problem. Chairman Lotito obtains what he wants, he has tracked Matuzalem for two years and finally he made it. The player was signed on loan with right of ransom not because the club didn't trust in him but cause of an intelligent strategy of Lotito. If I consider that he is admiring the player for what he is doing on the field, I don't the see why he shouldn't sign him definetely, as he has done with everybody, excluding Bianchi. I can't tell the exact amount of the agreement but my sensation is that Francelino will remain. We are available to this solution".

Lazio president Lotito: Rossi our future

Lazio president Claudio Lotito insists coach Delio Rossi's situation is not under discussion.
"The confirmation of Rossi is not in the slightest question. He is the our present and will be our future, regardless of the Coppa Italia," said Lotito.
"The contract? At the end of the season we will discuss money and go forward

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PREVIEW : NAPOLI - LAZIO

Kick-Off: Sunday, March 8, 15:00 CET, Stadio San Paolo, Napoli

Napoli In Free-fall

Following last Saturday’s defeat at the hands of Juventus, Napoli’s ‘crisis’ became very much a reality as they slipped down to eleventh in the standings for the first time this season. After an incredible first half to the campaign, the wheels seem to come off the Reja wagon, which after struggling on the road this season is now falling short even at home.

After imposing the players spend the past few weeks in ritiro, (forcing them to spend the night together at the training complex) it was hoped that the results on the pitch would have improved by now. Seeing that the negative trend has continued however, the club has decided to scrap the punishment and allow the squad to have their freedom back. In wake of last weeks defeat, Napoli DS Pier Paolo Marino confessed his side were doing just fine when they were living the “dolce vita”. The imposed ritiro was clearly doing more damage than good and it remains to be seen how the ‘newly liberated’ players will respond on Sunday.

Napoli are running out of time if they are to save their ever-fading season. A defeat against the Biancocelesti would see them drop six points behind a direct rival for the UEFA cup and possible twelve points from sixth place. The Partenopei have the perfect opportunity to turn things around, against a Lazio side who have proven it is possible to bounce back, from a seemingly endless losing streak. A win against the Aquile would not only stop the rot but could also prove vital for Reja’s future at the club.

Biancocelesti Back On Track

After a disastrous start to the second half of the season which saw Lazio record four straight defeats, the tide seems to be turning for Delio Rossi’s men following back to back wins against Lecce and Bologna. Coupled with a moral boosting Coppa Italia semi-final victory over Juventus in midweek, it looks as if the Biancocelesti may have re-discovered their winning formula.

Following Lazio’s disastrous drop in form, Delio Rossi had come under fire with his impending contract set to expire in the summer. After having tweaked his side back to a 4-4-2 system in favour of the unbalanced trident however the Lazio coach deserves full credit for their changing fortunes. With the timely return of Francelino Matuzalem, the Aquilotti are now able to express themselves openly in attack with far less exposure in defence. With the new-found partnership of Ledesma and Matuzalem, Delio Rossi now has a third dimension to his side that was clearly missing earlier in the season.

With the renewed possibility of reaching sixth place, Lazio will be determined to put in another fighting performance and achieve a third successive league victory. Napoli may be in ‘crisis’ but Lazio will be wary of the ‘wounded animal’ after having fallen victim to Bologna, Milan, Roma and Udinese; all in similar positions earlier in the season. If Delio Rossi’s men are lose their ‘Red Cross’ affiliation following such acts of charity against teams in ‘crisis’, then they must return to Rome with nothing less than three points on Sunday.

FORM GUIDE

Napoli

28 February: Juventus 1-0 Napoli

21 February: Napoli 0-1 Genoa

15 February: Napoli 1-1 Bologna

8 February: Palermo 2-1 Napoli

1 February: Napoli 2-2 Udinese

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

8 February: Fiorentina 1-0 Lazio

TEAM NEWS

Napoli

Edy Reja has a few selection problems and as a result looks set to start with new arrival Jesus Datolo alongside Manuele Blasi and Walter Gargano in midfield. Luigi Vitale joins Gennaro Iezzo, Matteo Gianello, Francesco Montervino and Matteo Contini in the infirmary.

Probable Starting XI (4-3-2-1): Navarro; Santacroce, Cannavaro, Rinaudo, Aronica; Blasi, Gargano, Datolo; Hamisk, Denis; Lavezzi

Lazio

Delio Rossi looks set to confirm the winning formula used in last weekend’s clash with Bologna. Mauro Zarate returns to the side after missing the Coppa Italia victory through suspension. Juan Pablo Carrizo is set to remain on the bench, although the away trip to Napoli had been signalled as a possible opportunity for his return between the sticks. Ousmane Dabo, Modibo Diakite and Mourad Meghni are all nursing injuries and will therefore not make the trip south.

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

PLAYERS TO WATCH

With comparisons being made between himself and Zarate this week, Ezequiel Lavezzi will be keen to demonstrate why he is ‘King of Naples’ as he comes head to head with Zarate’s Lazio. After struggling to inspire his side in recent weeks, ‘El Pocho’ will have felt aggrieved to have had a goal unfairly ruled out in last weeks defeat to Juve. As Napoli’s slump continues to drag on, the Partenopei faithful are looking to Lavezzi for a way out.

Francelino Matuzalem has been inspirational of late for the
Biancocelesti as he continues to form a perfect midfield partnership with Cristian Ledesma. The Brazilian who missed out on the first half of the season through injury is keen to make up for lost time in convincing Lotito to sign him on a permanent basis for next season. Still yet to score for Lazio this term, the ex-Napoli playmaker has vowed not to hold back his celebrations should he score against his former club.

PREDICTION

After being starved of a victory at the San Paolo since January 11th, Napoli will be desperate to achieve a positive result that would see them overcome their recent crisis. With the arrival of an in-form Lazio side it looks set to be another difficult test for the Azzurri.

The visitors look to have overcome their recent crisis and with a European slot now back on the horizon, Delio Rossi’s men will be determined to keep their momentum going. Given the different fortunes of both sides going into the encounter, I feel the visitors will just edge Napoli and pile further pressure on Edy Reja.

Napoli 1-2 Lazio
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Marcello Lippi Observes Lazio Training (Lazio – Fontana Liri 10-0)

Lazio have hit a good vein of form, winning their past three matches against Lecce, Bologna, and Juventus in impressive manner.

Italy boss Marcello Lippi was seen at the Formello training ground, watching the Biancocelesti' s usual midweek friendly, perhaps doing some scouting for his Azzurri side.

The most likely candidate for a call-up would be midfielder Pasquale Foggia, who has been instrumental in Lazio's recent success. Meanwhile, other possibilities could be young left-back Lorenzo De Silvestri and striker Tommaso Rocchi, who scored against Juventus.

Foggia earned two caps for Italy under coach Roberto Donadoni, while Rocchi was part of La Nazionale's Olympic squad this summer and has also added three senior caps to those appearances in his career. De Silvestri has only appeared at the Under-21 level.

The World Cup winning coach was greeted with applause and spoke to several Lazio players in the company of sporting director Igli Tare and president Claudio Lotito.

Lazio – Fontana Liri 10-0 (3-0)

Lazio. Primo tempo: Carrizo, De Silvestri, Tuia (20' Sperati), Rozenhal, Radu; Brocchi, Perpetuini, Kasami, Mauri; S.Inzaghi, Zàrate. All.: D. Rossi

Fontana Liri. Primo tempo: Selvini, De Ciantis, Cinelli, Pagnani, Quattruci, Pettorini, Iarusci, Bisarra, Raponi, Russo, Tomaselli.

Lazio. Secondo tempo (33'): Muslera, De Silvestri, Siviglia, Cribari, Kolarov; Foggia, Brocchi, Mauri, Manfredini; Rocchi, Pandev.

Fontana Liri. Secondo tempo: Gabriele, Bianchi, Tropuini, Reali, Iafrati, Brandi, Cangano, Buttarozzi, Giurini, Venditti, Casinelli.

Goalscorers (FH.): .32', 41' Mauri, 43' S.Inzaghi
Goalscorers (SH.): 7', 26', 29' Pandev, 10', 19', 23' Rocchi, 13' Foggia.

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Player Rating : Lazio vs Juventus

Lazio defeated Juventus 2-1 in the first leg of their Coppa Italia semi final at the Stadio Olimpico. Goal.com rates the participants...

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LAZIO

Muslera - 6.0: Did not have too many saves to make, but did all that was required of him, and was safe on crosses. Faultless on Iaquinta's goal.

Lichtsteiner - 7.0: Has been excellent for most of the season, and was again tonight. Linked up well with Foggia down the right, and it was his shot that led to Pandev's equaliser. A real fighter.

Siviglia - 6.5: After a shaky start, composed himself, and formed a solid partnership with Cribari.

Cribari - 7.5: Superb at the back. Amauri was a ghost for long spells of the game, and much of this was thanks to Cribari, who also covered well.

Kolarov - 6.5: Was fortunate to get away with possibly playing Iaquinta onside early on, but was solid thereafter, and his long shots and set-pieces were always a weapon.

Foggia - 7.5: A little quiet in the first half, but sensational after the break, as he crucified Molinaro, hit the crossbar, and forced a stunning save out of Manninger.

Matuzalem - 6.5: Had numerous efforts on goal, and was really fired up. A key reason why Lazio dominated the second half.

Ledesma - 6.5: His passing was spot-on as usual, and he would have scored with a free kick were it not for a brilliant Manninger save.

Manfredini - 5.5: Not the best of games for Manfredini, who made little headway down the left, and whose poor defensive header led to Marchionni's goal. Lazio improved after he was substituted.

Rocchi - 8.0: Only playing because of Zarate's absence, and what a replacement he was. The forward's movement caused all kinds of problems and, as well as forcing a number of saves out of Manninger, he scored the winner.

Pandev - 8.0: Disappointing in the first half, but a man possessed after the break, scoring Lazio's equaliser, and providing an inch perfect pass for Rocchi's winner.

Substitutes

Mauri - 7.0, De Silvestri - N/A, Brocchi - N/A

JUVENTUS

Manninger - 8.0: May have conceded two, but Manninger was the only reason Juventus weren't humiliated this evening. Pulled off at least two world class saves from Ledesma and Foggia, as well as a host of other stops.

Grygera - 6.0: Sound in the first half against Manfredini, but had trouble marking Mauri when he was introduced after the break.

Mellberg - 5.0: Did his best to imitate Philippe Senderos tonight. Very clumsy, slow off the mark, executing a number of poor clearances.

Chiellini - 5.0: Solid enough in the first half, but had real trouble against Rocchi in the second period, and allowed the striker to nip in behind him for the winner.

Molinaro - 5.5: One of Juve's most impressive players in the opening 45 minutes but, like most of his team-mates, must have banged his head during the half time interval. Did provide the cross for Marchionni's goal.

Marchionni - 6.5: Started excellently, creating Iaquinta's early chance and opening the scoring with a volley. Marchionni then disappeared into the Eternal City sky.

Sissoko - 6.0: Started the game imperiously, but then just went through the motions and appeared to be saving himself for the 'derby' and Chelsea.

Tiago - 6.0: Calm and assured in the first half, supplying the pass for Iaquinta's disallowed goal. However, after the break the Portuguese was passed through at will, leading to Ranieri replacing him with Poulsen.

Nedved - 5.0: Involved in the build-up to Marchionni's goal but, aside from this, did very little. Ranieri surely should have rested the veteran with the Chelsea game in mind.

Iaquinta - 7.0: Juventus' best outfield player tonight. Shot just wide on three minutes, had a goal contentiously disallowed and, of course, scored another that stood. Given no service during Juve's second half horror show.

Amauri - 4.5: Not a game that Amauri will want to remember in a hurry. One of the Brazilian's worst displays since joining the club last summer. All this in front of Marcello Lippi in the stands.

Substitutes

Marchisio - 5.0, Poulsen - 5.0, Trezeguet - N/A



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VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS : LAZIO JUVENTUS 2-1

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Lazio 2-1 Juventus

Goran Pandev and Tommaso Rocchi valiantly fought back from 1-0 down to beat Juventus 2-1 in the Coppa Italia semi-final.

Both sides rotated their squads to a degree, as the Biancocelesti were without the suspended Mauro Zarate and Amauri forged a new partnership with Vincenzo Iaquinta. Not only the Coppa Italia was at stake here, as just by getting to the Final - assuming Inter beat Sampdoria - Lazio would qualify for the UEFA Cup because the other contenders are already in the Champions League.

In the opening 120 seconds Iaquinta redirected a Marco Marchionni effort on to the side-netting, then after a period of Lazio pressure, Iaquinta tested Nando Muslera from Pavel Nedved's pass.

A precise but central Tommaso Rocchi volley was straight at Alex Manninger, but after 18 minutes Iaquinta was furious when his goal was disallowed for an extremely tight offside decision. Replays suggest the Juventus striker was probably level when Tiago Mendes released the through ball.

Francelino Matuzalem's deflected shot flashed across the face of goal and a long-range Aleksandr Kolarov free kick whistled wide.

Juventus took the lead for a potentially decisive away goal on 34 minutes. Manfredini cleared a cross straight to Marchionni just inside the area, who bounced it on his knee and hit the half-volley which took a deflection on its way past Muslera.

Lazio went very close to an equaliser moments later, as Rocchi let the long ball fall over his shoulder and his strike was beaten away by Alex Manninger at full stretch. Manninger flew across his goal to palm a wonderful Cristian Ledesma free kick off the line.

Momo Sissoko was booked and will be suspended for the second leg in Turin and Rocchi's angled drive was neither a shot nor an assist for Pasquale Foggia at the back post. Nedved threaded through for Marchionni's charged down effort from seven yards.

After the restart Rocchi came sliding on to Manfredini's cross to turn it wide of the near post and Stefano Mauri drilled off target following a poor clearance. Lazio were pouring forward and equalised despite Manninger's best efforts.

The Austrian goalkeeper stuck out a leg to parry Kolarov's strike, but the ball fell to Pandev, who spun round Claudio Marchisio to slot into the bottom corner.

Amauri's counter was charged down in the box, but the Biancocelesti had the wind in their sails and a curling Foggia gem was fingertipped over the bar, while another Foggia stunner practically from the byline thumped the bar and ricocheted on to Manninger.

Foggia spread the play for Mauri, whose angled drive shaved the far post with Manninger rooted to the spot. The goal was coming and Rocchi turned the game around. He out-paced Giorgio Chiellini through the middle and toe-poked Matuzalem's through ball past Manninger.

Lazio earn their first home victory over Juventus since the Coppa Italia in 2004, although anything could still happen in the second leg in Turin on April 22.

Lazio 2-1 Juventus
Scorers: Marchionni 34 (J), Pandev 65 (L), Rocchi 78 (L)
Lazio: Muslera; Lichtsteiner (De Silvestri 79), Siviglia, Cribari, Kolarov; Manfredini (Mauri 53), Ledesma, Matuzalem; Foggia (Brocchi 85); Pandev, Rocchi
Juventus: Manninger; Grygera, Mellberg, Chiellini, Molinaro; Marchionni, Sissoko (Marchisio 58), Tiago (Poulsen 69), Nedved; Amauri (Trezeguet 79), Iaquinta
Ref: Tagliavento


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[BREAKING NEWS] LOTITO IN JAIL..!!

The chief has been dealt a 24 month jail term for some irregularities with the club's shares in 2005...

Lazio president Claudio Lotito faces a lengthy spell in jail after a court in Milan sentenced him to two years behind bars as a result of some dodgy share dealing.

APCOM reports that the tribunal of Milan has punished Lotito for manipulating the club's shares back in 2005 as well as stopping the Consob watchdog agency from carrying out investigations into his dealings.

Another well know businessman Roberto Mezzaroma has also been sentenced, and he will serve a 20 month jail term. Mezzaroma bought shares in the club back in 2005 and was accused with the same offence.

The public prosecutor had asked for a 20 month sentence for Lotito and a 16 month term for Mezzaroma, but the judges ruled for stronger sentences.

Lotito has not reacted to the outcome of the case, but he told Sky Sport Italia of his 'surprise [at the sentence]'.


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PREVIEW COPPA ITALY : LAZIO VS JUVE

Kick-off: Tuesday, March 3, 20:45 CET. Stadio Olimpico, Rome.

Coppa Ambitions

Lazio have done very well in the Coppa Italia so far this term, eliminating Atalanta, Milan in extra time, and Torino in succession.

The last round saw the Biancocelesti comfortable 3-1 winners over the Granata and the club have had two successive 2-0 wins in Serie A that will give them confidence for this tough encounter against Juventus. The two sides met earlier this season in Serie A action drawing 1-1 at the Stadio Olimpico with Christian Ledesma and Olof Mellberg netting to share of the spoils.

In Serie A, Lazio are enduring another inconsistent season. Their early-season form had them touted for Champions League football, but currently they are in eight place, certainly within reach of a spot in the UEFA Cup next season.

For Lazio, the Coppa Italia represents a real opportunity for success this season. Inter and Juventus have other priorities and the other side remaining, Sampdoria, are definitely beatable. Coach Delio Rossi has admitted that Lazio are after the trophy and believes it would be a great gift for the players and fans, who have been deprived of success in recent years.

One major issue in this match will be the absence of star striker Mauro Zarate, but Goran Pandev and Tommaso Rocchi have proven to be a prolific tandem up front in the past.

Other Priorities

Juventus began their Coppa Italia campaign at the last-16 stage, where they were convincing 3-0 winners over Catania with goals from Marco Marchionni, Sebastian Giovinco and captain Alessandro Del Piero.

The next stage against Napoli was a quite different event though, with the match going to penalties after an uninspiring 120 minutes of football. La Vecchia Signora just shaded their opponents by being more accurate from the spot and winning 4-3 on penalty-kicks.

Juventus remain in decent form, but their performances have not been brilliant lately. Barring a 2-0 win over Palermo, they struggled against Napoli, Sampdoria and Catania in Serie A and certainly were outplayed for portions of the match in the 1-0 loss to Chelsea this past Wednesday.

Coach Claudio Ranieri’s eyes will be on other prizes, even if the Coppa Italia would be a nice addition to the trophy cabinet as Juventus have not won the competition since 1995. Despite this, the Bianconeri will not put out their best XI for this match due to the Champions League second-leg clash with Chelsea on the horizon.

FORM GUIDE

Lazio

1 March (Serie A): Lazio 2-0 Bologna

22 February (Serie A): Lecce 0-2 Lazio

14 February (Serie A): Lazio 1-1 Torino

8 February (Serie A): Fiorentina 1-0 Lazio

1 February (Serie A): Lazio 0-3 Milan

Juventus

1 March (Serie A): Juventus 1-0 Napoli

25 February (Champions League): Chelsea 1-0 Juventus

22 February (Serie A): Palermo 2-0 Juventus

15 February (Serie A): Juventus 1-1 Sampdoria

8 February (Serie A): Catania 1-2 Juventus

TEAM NEWS

Lazio

Mauro Zarate, who scored a well-taken brace on the weekend against Bologna, is suspended. Midfielders Mourad Meghni, Simone Del Nero and Ousmande Dabo are all in the treatment room along with long-term absentee Mobido Diakite.

Squad: 1 Carrizo, 2 Lichtsteiner, 3 Kolarov, 5 Brocchi, 8 Matuzalem, 11 Mauri, 13 Siviglia, 17 Foggia, 18 Rocchi, 19 Pandev, 20 Kozak, 21 Inzaghi, 22 Rozehnal, 24 Ledesma, 25 Cribari, 29 De Silvestri 32 Radu, 68 Manfredini, 86 Muslera, 20 Kozak, 21 Inzaghi.

Juventus

The duo of Alessandro Del Piero and Gianluigi Buffon have been given the match off to rest. Another 2006 World Cup winner, Mauro Camoranesi, is not available due to injury.

Meanwhile, defender Nicola Legrottaglie has a minor knock to the knee and will not be risked, and although Jonathan Zebina is nearing a return to full fitness, he will not play in the match either. Overall, expect plenty of rotation from the ‘Tinkerman’.

Squad: 3 Chiellini, 4 Mellberg, 7 Salihamidzic, 8 Amauri, 9 Iaquinta, 11 Nedved, 12 Chimenti, 13 Manninger, 17 Trezeguet, 18 Poulsen, 19 Marchisio, 20 Giovinco, 21 Grygera, 22 Sissoko, 28 Molinaro, 30 Tiago, 32 Marchionni, 41 Ariaudo, 42 Pinsoglio.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Lazio

Winger Pasquale Foggia has had an inconsistent year, often finding himself on the substitutes’ bench. The Milan youth product has shown he is capable of being an influential player and his creativity could be a key for Lazio in this match.

Juventus

Rumours from the peninsula suggest that hitman Vincenzo Iaquinta is not at all happy with his lack of playing time in Turin. The Italian international must make the most of opportunities like these if he is to earn more opportunities on the pitch.

PREDICTION

Although both sides will want to win, Juventus know they have bigger challenges ahead and will rest a number of starters. Lazio may treat the competition a little more seriously and should take a slim home win, leaving plenty left to be decided in the return leg of this semi-final.

Lazio 2-1 Juventus

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