Lazio – Atalanta

By: cathal | August 22nd, 2009

Serie A is back and tomorrow, this ‘new’ Lazio will take on a revised Atalanta side in our own backyard. Both sides ended last season languishing in the mid-table positions and both will be hoping that they have brought in the players to turn their fortunes around and propel them up the league table. However, the media are not convinced that either side has improved and tomorrow is the ideal opportunity for one side to prove a point and take a tasty three points in the process.

It has been a case of so far, so good for Ballardini and his boys. Victory against Elfsborg in the Europa League was preceded by a morale boosting Supercoppa triumph over Inter in Beijing. Despite our success, the jury is still out and the team from Bergamo will provide a stern and somewhat welcome test. Nobody quite knows how our coach will approach this game. With a three goal margin over the Swedes, I personally believe he will rest a few guys midweek and pick a reasonably strong side tomorrow.

Two players I expect to see on the bench tomorrow are Cruz and Matuzalem. Julio has only had three weeks of training and as a result, he lacks match fitness. He looked spent by the end of Thursday night and I can’t see him starting. Matuzalem was pulled off in the Elfsborg game due to cramp and he has admitted that he needs to improve his fitness. I think it would be strange if he featured tomorrow but the majority of the media disagree with me. Many journalists believe the Brazilian will play and that Foggia will partner Rocchi in attack instead of Zarate. In midfield, I assume Mauri and Brocchi will retain their places but with Baronio also rusty in comparison to many others, I expect Dabo to come in against his old employers. I don’t think Davide will tinker too much with the backline but if there is to be a change, I would expect Diakite’ to take the place of Cribari. This is the line-up I think we will see:

Lazio (4-3-1-2): Muslera, Kolarov, Siviglia, Diakite’, Lichtsteiner, Dabo, Mauri, Brocchi, Foggia, Zarate, Rocchi.

As for Atalanta, they are very much an unknown entity. Like us, they have a brand new coach in ex-laziale, Angelo Gregucci and it remains to be seen if he can take over where Del Neri left off. They managed to sign two of our transfer targets this summer; Paraguayan, Barreto who beefs up their midfield and Acquafresca who needs no introduction I’m sure. As good as Roberto is, I am not convinced he can fill Floccari’s boots just yet and I really feel it will take them a while to get going this season. They only just snuck by Cesena in the cup and that could play on their minds a little. Nevertheless, we can’t afford to underestimate them as they are solid and have quality in all areas of the field. I just hope we can put on a good display and go to Verona next week with three points to our name; it will be tough but it’s certainly doable. Forza Lazio!

Previous Encounter: Lazio 0-1 Atalanta (Talamonti, 24)
Last Season: As above.
Stream: www.atdhe.net