Lazio – Chievo

By: cathal | March 14th, 2009

Lazio will welcome a feisty Chievo side to the Olimpico tomorrow as both sides continue their charge up the table. The Veronese minnows will be looking for a result to give them a fighting chance of survival while we will be all out for the win. However, this is no longer and ordinary tie but a game tinted with sadness.

Ugo Longo, the president who took over from Cragnotti and was replaced by Lotito sadly died at the age of 68. In his honour, the team fully intend to go on the pitch and defeat Chievo. Ugo was a much loved character in football and he will be sadly missed by everyone who knew him and admired him.

I expect tomorrow’s line-up to look remarkably similar to the ones of previous weeks. Muslera should start in goal with the regular defence of Kolarov, Cribari, Siviglia and Lichtsteiner ahead of him. Matuzalem is a slight injury worry for the game and as a result, Rossi has called up a whole host of midfielders, perhaps leaving us short on options in attack should we need them. Ledesma and Foggia should definitely be in that midfield and Brocchi on the right is plausible. The tough question Delio has is who to choose in attack. Rocchi must start after his two goal haul last weekend but who slots in beside him will be key. My money is on Zarate despite reports favouring Pandev. Below is the line-up I expect:

Lazio (4-4-2): Muslera, Kolarov, Cribari, Siviglia, Lichtsteiner, Foggia, Ledesma, Matuzalem, Brocchi, Zarate, Rocchi.

As for Chievo, well, you may know a certain guy in their team called Makinwa. He is a fairly prolific (not) individual and he scored their equaliser last weekend. In all honesty, can you imagine the irony if he scored against us? It would be a devastating blow. Nevertheless, the fact he makes their team in his current form shows the lack of danger they have. There is absolutely no reason to fear them, we just have to go out, play our game and we will take home the three points. Forza Lazio!

Previous Encounter: Chievo 1-2 Lazio (Pelissier, 10, Pandev, 14, Mantovani o.g. 82)
Last Season: n/a
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