Fiorentina – Lazio

By: cathal | October 4th, 2009

Back to Serie A we go and this Lazio side who ran away with a victory in Bulgaria in midweek will take on the side who conquered the mighty Liverpool on Tuesday night. With the Viola in vintage form, you could argue that this is a near impossible mission for us but as our own tide is turning, we may put up a greater fight than many think.

fogfio

Our injury woes still exist and as a result, our backline virtually picks itself. Del Nero will step in at left-back yet again with the exhausted Lichtsteiner featuring on the right. Cribari and Radu kept a clean sheet against Levski and as the only fit centre-backs, they will have a colossal task to repeat that feat. As for midfield, I expect us to neutralise Jovetic as much as possible and for that reason, I can’t see Ballardini doing anything other than playing a midfield trio. I assume Baronio will do much of the dirty work and will be flanked by Mauri and Dabo. Matuzalem will probably start in the trequartista role which is slightly harsh on Foggia and Meghni who have been doing well recently while I am fairly confident Rocchi will partner Zarate in attack. It’s a strong but vulnerable line-up and you can see what I expect now in full:

Lazio (4-3-1-2): Muslera, Del Nero, Radu, Cribari, Lichtsteiner, Mauri, Baronio, Dabo, Matuzalem, Zarate, Rocchi.

maumonfio

As for Fiorentina, I hinted at the major issue earlier; we have to take Jovetic out of the game. I think the boys in purple are weakest in the full back positions and in an ideal world, we would play with width and take the game to them but the Montenegrin is just too dangerous and if we can mark him out of it, we cut off much of their forward supply. I believe this is what Davide will look at doing and unlike many others, I think we have a real shot at a win. We annihiliated them at home last season and but for an early sending off, we could have done it a second time so I see absolutely no reason why we can’t emerge from this encounter with at least a point. Forza Lazio!

Previous Encounter: Fiorentina 1-0 Lazio (Gilardino, 90)
Last Season: As Above.
Stream: www.myp2p.eu