Lazio – Milan

By: cathal | January 31st, 2009

Lazio will be ready and waiting at the Olimpico tomorrow to do battle with an on-song Milan side looking to take advantage of our recent woes and move closer to the top of Serie A. It should be a fascinating encounter. Understandably many of us are apprehensive of this game and rightfully so but we must keep in mind that we have managed to beat them once already this season and there’s no real reason to fear them.

Both sides have got injury troubles. For us, Rocchi is the main absentee. Although he could technically be risked, the doctors believe that he could end up aggravating his injury (I believe it is a thigh problem), leaving him out of action for two months. Therefore, a decision has been taken to rest him for two weeks. In addition to Tommaso, Brocchi and Meghni were/are also doubts. Cristian hurt his left ankle in training during the week and Meghni has a problem with his left foot. It seems Rossi will risk Brocchi in the three man midfield alongside Ledesma and newly-fit Matuzalem. Meghni is not ready apparently and will thus be left behind. Foggia and Lichtsteiner are both suspended so Mauri will play the trequartista role behind Pandev and Zarate while De Silvestri slots into the right-back position. Rozehnal is likely to be recalled to defence to partner Siviglia. I believe this is and always has been Delio’s preferred backline this season. Radu will play on the left side and Muslera has been confirmed as tomorrow’s goalkeeper. No doubt in my mind that Rossi was fibbing when he said he was giving Carrizo a rest. At least for now, Nestor is number one. It’s a relatively strong line up I feel, especially given our selection limits but I hope Inzaghi gets a chance. There’s also the possibility that Mendicino will make the bench but he could be tired after recent Primavera action.

If you think our team is depleted, Milan are arguably worse off. Defensively they could be in serious trouble. Maldini is suspended, Nesta is still injured and Bonera has the flu. Kaladze is also out so that backline could be very unfamiliar. Gattuso and Flamini are the other notable absentees. Of course, it’s the attack of the Milanese outfit that I fear the most. In Kaka, Ronaldinho, Pato, Shevchenko and co. they have an abundance of attacking talent and the best approach for us must be to press forward when possible. We can’t let that attack get a foothold in the game or they will romp away with the three points.

It’s a tough tie made all the more difficult by our poor form but I’m relatively optimistic. What have we got to lose? Pride perhaps and nothing more. Lazio must answer the battle cry tomorrow and in doing so ruin Milan’s Scudetto prospects. That’s easier said than done of course but let’s get behind our boys. Forza Lazio! Non Mollare Mai!