Catania – Lazio

By: cathal | September 19th, 2009

After our midweek horror show and Catania’s slow start to their league campaign, in comes the fourth Serie A game of our seasons and for both sides, it’s already crucial. To make matters worse for us, we will have to get by with an injury ridden, second-string side that still misses the presence of the ‘dissidenti.’ Considering our 33-year losing streak in this part of Sicily, this will not be an easy game for us and we will have to produce a flawless display to emerge with anything.

With Rocchi, Brocchi and Scaloni currently attracting the attention of our medical staff, things only worsened when Cruz and Dabo added their names to the doctor’s waiting list. As far as I am aware, the latter is out while Julio will probably be fit enough to warm the bench for as long as we can leave him there. We probably have no choice but to play a string of left-sided attackers and assuming those roles should be Zarate and two of our bright sparks from midweek in Meghni and Foggia although I wouldn’t be surprised if Inzaghi is thrown in there as a curveball. Matuzalem, Mauri and Baronio should be the midfield trio while Cribari looks set to lose his place to Siviglia. The rest of the defence remains unchanged form the team that faced Red Bull on Thursday and Muslera will regain his spot between the sticks. Not the ideal line-up for a more than tricky away tie but still a team who can pick up something from the game. Here is the full line-up I expect:

Lazio (4-3-1-2): Muslera, Kolarov, Siviglia, Diakite’, Lichtsteiner, Mauri, Baronio, Matuzalem, Meghni, Foggia, Zarate.

As for Catania, they may look in trouble but usually they are galvanised by home support. We all know the damage Mascara can do already and it would be wise to keep him at bay but Japanese sensation, Morimoto is also one to watch. Their defence can be difficult to break down at times and Biagianti in midfield is also a tidy player. On paper, they look weak and they also have a few good players missing. This is something we need to take advantage of tomorrow. It’s a big ask but if we keep our wits about us and remain disciplined, I’m sure we can take a point and with a bit of luck, maybe even the win. Forza Lazio!

Previous Season: Catania 1-0 Lazio (Paolucci, 24)
Last Encounter: As above.
Stream: http://www.ustream.tv/channel-popup/Gio46

	Serie A Match Schedule			Discount Travel to Rome
	Lazio Results			Stadio Olimpico information & hotels

Category: Previews

Tags: Baronio, Biagianti, Brocchi, Catania, Cruz, Dabo, Foggia, Inzaghi, Mascara, Matuzalem, Mauri, Meghni, Morimoto, Muslera, Previews, Rocchi, Scaloni, Serie A, Zarate

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• cathal |  September 20th, 2009 at 6:13 am

  
  
  

  alternative source: http://calciolink.altervista.org/gio46_myp2p.html

  Posted from Ireland

  

• SINISARMAN |  September 20th, 2009 at 8:00 am

  
  
  

  Fuck
  whats happened for us ???
  its so shameful (CRYYY)

  Posted from United States

  

• anthony from belgium |  September 20th, 2009 at 12:12 pm

  
  
  

  Well I watched another game that is starting to show a disturbing trend already early in the season. Initial excitement about a new era under Ballardini has been dulled and resigned backwards towards the old Rossi methods of playing down to the level of our opponents or not preparing mentally enough for the rigors of Serie A.

  In watching today’s game we bear witness to both issues. They better decide what to do with the dissidents soon (and I mean also Stendardo). Whether they wish to admit to it or not, it is becoming a distraction. What else could they give as an excuse for their recent string of form and lack of motivation?

  Cannot be injuries or lack of depth players only 3 games into the season could it? – Perhaps if Lotito showed some loyalty to the fans and colors by letting some of these marginalized players play we could actually still make some noise in Serie A and Europa Cup. Ah, but this is surely a pipe dream. We have to deal with the owners ego. While I agreed with his stance from the outset of the summer training campaign I believe he has sent his message and then some. Now it is doing nothing but hurting our chances. If he plays Ledesma and he shows brilliantly would he not possibly fetch more come january than just sitting in the stands? Ditto for Pandev and Stendardo and, and….

  Come on Lotito give your starving fans a lifeline.

  What do you think?

  Posted from United States

  

• MJ |  September 20th, 2009 at 1:27 pm

  
  
  

  JUst wanna let you guys know we’re back ROMA IS BACK Its time 4 the scudetti. FORZA ROMA FORZA TOTTI NO TOTTI NO PARTY BETTER THEN ALL U LAZIALE!!!!!

  Posted from United Kingdom

  

• Aldo |  September 20th, 2009 at 1:42 pm

  
  
  

  i agree with you anthony. and mj you are an idiot…well done you are winning one match, enjoy it while you can because you wont be wining many more with your retard of a manager

  Posted from Ireland

  

• cathal |  September 20th, 2009 at 1:56 pm

  
  
  

  FORZA TITTY? This the same guy who is demanding 5 million of your debt-ridden club or else he will leave? The same moneygrabber who you proclaim to be bigger than your football club? There’s soccer teams and then there’s Rioma…

  As for today, round-up later, not a great performance once again but I’m not sure we should be too disheartened with the result.

  Posted from Ireland

  

• Mastro |  September 20th, 2009 at 2:57 pm

  
  
  

  I have to disagree with Anthony. Although I see your point I think it is important that Lotito set a standard. No player comes before the team and it was foolish for the three amigos to think otherwise.

  It is a long drawn out process but in the long run I think it sets a standard for the players that come in.

  Posted from United States

  

• anthony from belgium |  September 21st, 2009 at 1:16 am

  
  
  

  Wow, this guy from Lazialita.It must have read my blog because he repeats exactly what I just said the day before…in order to make noise this year, rather than just languishing in mid table, Lotito has to reinstate guys like Ledesma so that we can have a respectful turnover in midfield and save/rest some players like Brocchi, Matuzalem, Baronio who are all showing signs of wear and tear…

  NECESSARIO RECUPERARE LEDESMAL

  A scorsa settimana Cristian Ledesma e gli altri “dissidenti” hanno ripreso a lavorare con il resto del gruppo ma, Ballardini, anche a a Catania non ha convocato il centrocampista argentino. Cristian Ledesma
  Ballardini voleva una reazione dalla squadra e l’ha avuta. Dal punto di vista della grinta anche stavolta la Lazio non ha sbagliato partita. È andata sotto per il solito errore difensivo, ha reagito, è riuscita a pareggiare grazie a Cruz sempre più indispensabile, poi ha rischiato più di perdere che di vincere ma ha retto il confronto su un campo avaro di soddisfazioni per i biancocelesti. Ora però bisogna riflettere sul futuro della Lazio in un campionato che si annuncia modesto. Se si vuole sopravvivere a metà classifica, la rosa a disposizione di Ballardini è più che sufficiente, se si vuole salire più in alto e puntare a un posto in Europa serve reintegrare Ledesma. L’aspetto tecnico deve essere anteposto a qualsiasi altro ragionamento. Con l’argentino in mezzo al campo potrebbero respirare sia Baronio, sia Matuzalem uscito anche ieri con la borsa del ghiaccio sulla gamba. Se non si vuole usurare tutto il parco dei centrocampisti, è fondamentale recuperare alla causa il regista argentino punto di forza della Lazio degli ultimi anni. Senza entrare nel merito delle vicende contrattuali, Ledesma può essere molto utile almeno fino a gennaio (e anche per il futuro considerando la poca qualità che si vede in giro) quando sarà fondamentale tornare sul mercato per centrare quegli obiettivi falliti negli ultimi giorni di agosto. Lotito rifletta e si ricordi della parabola del figliol prodigo. Da buon cristiano riabbracci Ledesma e avrà qualche possibilità in più di sognare obiettivi importanti. E magari rifletta anche su qualche altro elemento finito ai margini della prima squadra.

  Fonte: Il Tempo – Luigi Salomone

  Forza Lazio! Non Mollare Mai!!

  Posted from Belgium

  

• Gino S |  September 21st, 2009 at 2:10 am

  
  
  

  Can someone explain what the deal is with Stendardo? This part of the “lazio drama” is still largely unclear to me.

  Posted from United States

  

• anthony from belgium |  September 21st, 2009 at 11:17 am

  
  
  

  Essentially Stendardo has been known as a coach killer and a rebel. He has the talent to play but cannot check his ego at the door and become a team player. Even when we loaned him out to lower level teams he was at odds with the coaching staff(s) to the point that no one wanted him on loan this year.

  Key would be to find a way to untap his abilities in a reserved, controlled backup central defender role. He’s gotta be better than Siviglia!!

  Posted from United States

  

• Omar |  September 21st, 2009 at 1:04 pm

  
  
  

  I also disagree with you Anthony.

  You’re constant mentioning of the dissidents and wanting them to play is no solution.

  I didn’t see sunday’s game, nor will I wednesday’s unfortunately, because i don’t have AlJazeera +8 (yet, so help me God) – but I see a more organised and disciplined Lazio. Better wing play, which we seriously lacked under Rossi. And we are injury ravaged at the moment, so 7 points out of 12 is a decent start for me.

  Forza those Bluez

  Posted from United States

  

• Jacob |  September 22nd, 2009 at 12:48 am

  
  
  

  Why doesn’t ur manager play Pandev and Ledesma. Ur team looks lost without them.

  Posted from United States

  

• anthony from belgium |  September 22nd, 2009 at 5:21 am

  
  
  

  Appreciate everyone’s comments on the dissidents. That is why I posed the open question. It is nice to see the passion our fans have for the team. Let me just say that I AGREE with the stance that Lotito has taken to send the message and set a standard. I believe the message has been received by all the soccer world, players currently under contract with us and those who would contemplate becoming biancoceleste. I simply believe that we are now at a point that there may be no more usefulness of pushing this issue any further. I am a realist and if we had a larger squad with another central defender(or two) and another midfielder than I would not encourage the use of the dissidents. In fact I would nail them to the bench. The conundrum I see, is that we must balance the message with current year goals and opportunity given to us by the poor starts from Rioma, Fiorentina and Milan.

  Anyhow, if the rumours are true that we have a deal in place for Pandev to Inter for 5.5MM plus either Materazzi or Suazo on loan than I do not believe you will see pandev ever again. They will not risk injury before the january mercato window reopens…

  Forza lazio!! Non Mollare Mai!!

  Posted from Belgium

  

• cathal |  September 22nd, 2009 at 5:42 am

  
  
  

  It’s unlikely this issue will ever cease. It will rumble on to next summer and in all probability, the same thing will probably happen again.

  Posted from Ireland

  

• Mitar |  September 22nd, 2009 at 1:18 pm

  
  
  

  Well,i couldn`t watch the game but from the highlights i saw that we were outplayed,i didn`t expect that from an average Catania team.But life goes on,next game against a very good Parma,but a good chance to get back on the winning track.

  Btw,I`m first on The offside group on the Yahoo fantasy football Mr.Ballardini!!!

  Posted from United States

  

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