Genoa – Lazio

By: cathal | April 18th, 2009

Genoa will be entertaining Lazio today in the Stadio Luigi Ferraris as they look to keep ahead of the chasing pack in the race for a Champions League spot. We are looking to maintain the momentum of our derby win last weekend as we hope to carry that form into the return leg of our Coppa Italia semi-final. There is plenty at stake for both sides which leads me to believe this will be a fascinating encounter.

Il grifone have gained a reputation for destroying teams at home this season. This makes our task difficult enough but in general, they don’t lose. Somehow they find a result week in week out; an anti-Lazio in a sense. We did defeat them at home last season, although they had nothing to play for by the time that came around. So, we do have the previous to be optimistic of a result but this is a different season and this tie is unique.

The intensity and overwhelming passion of the derby has decimated our possibilities for this weekend’s game. Foggia is injured and both Matuzalem and Brocchi are suspended which gives Delio a midfield headache. The apparent solution is to introduce Mauri back into the side and move Lichtsteiner to right midfield with Ledesma and Dabo in the centre of the park. De Silvestri will probably slot into the right back role as a result and considering our defense has remained mostly unchanged recently, Rossi is likely to give Radu and Diakite’ starts in order to rest Kolarov and Siviglia. Mobido should be partnered in the centre by Rozehnal. Pandev and Zarate look set to feature again in attack but Goran seriously needs a rest and I wish Delio would just accept this. There is no reason to not leave out the Macedonian every once in a while when you have Rocchi on the bench. Here is the probable line-up:

Lazio (4-4-2): Muslera, Radu, Rozehnal, Diakite’, De Silvestri, Mauri, Ledesma, Dabo, Lichtsteiner, Pandev, Zarate.

Genoa will field the strongest line-up available to them but they have multiple absentees which could give us a slight advantage. They have one goal and one goal only; fourth spot and there’s no doubt in my mind that they are going to be up to the challenge today. I think if we want to win, we need to grab and early goal or even two like we did against Rioma. They will be full of nervous energy, the onus is on us to turn that nervousness into a negative energy. If we can worry and frighten them, we have every chance but if we gift them a goal or two, we could be steamrolled. It’s a challenge for both sides and I hope we deliver because a win would be the perfect boost for Juve. Forza Lazio!

Previous Encounter: Lazio 1-1 Genoa (Milito, 69, Dabo, 80)
Last Season: Genoa 0-2 Lazio (Pandev, 32, Rocchi, 45)
Stream: TBA