Lazio – Red Bull Salzburg

By: cathal | September 17th, 2009

Let the Europa League group stage commence. Tonight, Lazio will welcome Austrian champions, Red Bull Salzburg to the Stadio Olimpico in a game where both sides will be looking to register three points on the scoreboard and give themselves a cushion over future opponents. It has been a while since we last featured properly in a European tournament and for the tifosi, this should be quite an occasion.

At this stage of the competition, it would be foolish to underestimate any opponent but for me, this should be the easiest game we have in the group. We are at home and having seen a few of Red Bull’s Champions League qualifiers, we have nothing to fear. They are a good side on paper and have dangerous players all over the pitch but as a team, I don’t think they function too well. However, it is early days in the season and we need to keep on our toes; our side lacked potency at the weekend and this is something we will have to find if we want three points tonight.

After a hard-fought game at the weekend and with Catania looming on Sunday, Ballardini has admitted that he will rotate his squad slightly. Bizzarri will come in with Muslera being handed a rest while Kolarov is suspended with Radu in line for a start. The fresher Cribari could come in for Siviglia with Lichtsteiner assuming his familiar position on the right of our defense. Foggia is likely to be benched in favour of experimenting with Meghni while Dabo, Baronio and Matuzalem should form a trio in the centre of the park. Zarate is back and is likely to partner Cruz in the forward line. All in all, a strong squad and a team that is more than capable of picking up a good result.

Lazio (4-3-1-2): Bizzarri, Radu, Cribari, Diakite’, Lichtsteiner, Dabo, Baronio, Matuzalem, Meghni, Zarate, Cruz.

As for Salzburg, they have some very good players who we will need to keep quiet. Their big centre forward, Janko has a habit of finding the net and the likes of Pokrivac and Augustinussen in midfield do add some quality to the side. Having players such as Opdam in defense also shows that they can be resolute, could be difficult to break down and may just be able to hit us on the counter. In other words, we need to show them the respect they deserve but keep in mind that the game is there to be won and we can’t be too nice about it. Forza Lazio!

Stream: TBA