Lazio – Siena

By: salvatore | April 12th, 2008

The Biancoceleste will be welcoming Siena to the Stadio Olimpico tomorrow, and with the Coppa Italia Semifinal just four days away, the risk of taking the Tuscan minnows for granted (and getting seriously burned) is very real.

To begin with, Siena is not a terrible team. All you have to do is look up their raping of Rioma Merda a while ago to see how they can hurt you. Furthermore, with Dabo and Bianchi both out (or at least doubtful) for the match, and Delio wanting to field players who have not played as much this year (read Mauri, Muslera, Tare, and Vignaroli), you have the recipe for a major slip -up.

Hopefully, Rossi knows what he’s doing here then. I’m all for turnover and keeping everyone fresh, but Christ in heaven, it’s enough with the ties and the wasted opportunities already. Let’s get 3 points.

Forza Lazio

The rejigged lineup will reportedly feature Zauri (in his first start in nearly two months) and Kolarov flanking Siviglia and Rozehnal (we’ll see about that one) at the back. The midfield will feature Mudyngay, Baronio, Mofo Mutarelli and Stefano Mauri, doing his best impersonation of a real life trequartista. Goran and Tommaso Balboa will be starting up front, though by all accounts, you can expect Tare, Vignaroli or both, to make an appearance at some point.

As for Siena, the delicious sounding Maccarone and Rigano are to be respected, since both can be massive pains in the arse. Also of note is defender Portanova, who has been linked with a move to Lazio in the past.

Probable Formations:

Lazio: Muslera, Zauri, Siviglia, Rozenhal, Kolarov, Mudyngay, Baronio, Mutarelli, Mauri, Rocchi, Pandev (or Tare)

Siena: Manninger; Rossettini, Portanova, Loria, Rossi; Coppola, Galloppa, Vergassola; Locatelli; Maccarone, Rigano

Likelihood Lazio blows it: 50%
Likelihood players are rested for the Coppa Italia semifinal: 65%
Likelihood of at least one cringe-worthy substitution: 90%

Here’s what happened the last time these teams met: