Lazio – Genoa

By: cathal | November 22nd, 2008

Lazio will welcome Genoa to the Olimpico tomorrow as both sides aim to take the spoils and push on towards the top of the table.

There is no doubt about it, this is a massive challenge. Genoa are a classy team with a potent goal threat. Their main striker, Milito, is leading the goalscoring charts and the suspensions to Ledesma and Radu does not make our life any easier. I think both us and Genoa can finish in the Top 6 this season, so I am expecting a highly competitive game. After all, this was a tie we lost last season so we know we are in for a tough match.

It has been quite an eventful week at Lazio. Suspensions, injuries, transfer talk, Champions League ambitions gossip, you name it, we have had it. It seems to me that this is the beginning of a new chapter where there can be no more excuses; there is now a great focus that has been lacking for sometime. Perhaps all this talk is the result of a realisation that we could be screwed this weekend. Siviglia and Kolarov have been struggling with fitness all week but it appears as though both could be ready. goal.com suggests both will be fit but might start on the bench. However lazialita.it is reporting that while Kolarov is almost ready, Siviglia is not as fit yet. These conflicting reports tell me that I should wait until the line-up before I judge who is fit. But this certainly leaves us exposed. If Kolarov and Radu where both to be out then De Silvestri would probably fill in at left back. If Siviglia is absent, then Rossi has two options; Diakité or Cribari. Diakité is the natural stand in for Sebastiano but he lacks experience and could find the dangerous Genoa all too much. However, Cribari is not the natural replacement and he is also in Delio’s bad books so if he got the nod, it would be interesting. We will have to wait and see.

The midfield and attack is just as unclear. Pandev looks set to occupy a spot on the bench. His form has dipped of late and he will also be tired following international duty. That means it is likely that Zarate and Rocchi will spearhead the attack. The biggest uncertainty lies in the midfield. With Pandev’s possible omission, Delio can opt for a 4-4-2 formation or the more familiar 4-3-1-2. Dabo and Brocchi wil sit in the centre of midfield. Meghni should take Mauri’s place in the side and Foggia should also be included. What is unclear is whether Foggia will act as trequartista with Meghni behind on the left or whether Foggia will play on the right wing with Meghni on the left. This is the tactical decision Rossi faces. Hope he gets this one right.

The secret to Genoa’s success this season is a solid defence with a clinical attack. We all know what Milito can do but then there is also the likes of Jankovic and Gasbarroni. The defence is excellent with Criscito and Ferrari two of the standout names. They pretty much have quality all over the field and sufficient depth and there are enough weapons in that side to cause us considerable grief.

All in all, it should be an incredibly tight game. Both teams have star names who can become magical at any moment and this is a recipe for a fantastic match. On paper, we should scrape through with a win but in reality, we have to produce something close to our best if we want the three points. Forza Lazio!