Lazio – Torino

By: cathal | February 13th, 2009

Lazio take on Torino tomorrow in what myself and Mr.Rossi believe is a “must-win game”. We are currently on a four game losing streak while I Granata have also gone four games without a win. All four of those games resulted in a draw. In recent games, they have proven that they can be tough to beat and despite defeating them twice this season already, we shouldn’t be counting our chickens.

I think the primary goal for this game is to pick up a point or three. Of course, three points is what we all hope for and a lot of us expect but even the one would do our confidence good. The best way to ensure that is to play defensively, cautiously and get the defence right on the day. Torino look good for a goal or two these days and without Ledesma, Delio must be worried about our backline too. However, the squad he has brought to the game is strong.

Dabo will step into injured Ledesma’s midfield role and he will partner an ever-improving Matuzalem. Rocchi is fit again and it couldn’t come at a better time with Zarate serving a suspension due to an accumulation of bright yellow cards. Siviglia is also back which is causing Delio to have a rather bad headache I’m sure. Does the boss stick with the Rozehnal-Cribari pairing? I hope yes, I fear no. Lichtsteiner is a certainty at right back if 100% healthy and Radu and Kolarov must be a close call for left-back. In the forward line, Foggia is expected to start as trequartista with Pandev partnering Tommaso in attack. Bear in mind that Goran did feature for Macedonia midweek and could well run out of gas before the match end. Muslera remains in goal and another of our youth products, Mancini could make the bench. A strong line up, a few of our key players are absent but nevertheless, we have the depth to compensate.

For me, all the Torino danger lies in midfield. Rosina will be pushing to test our defence from the word go and Abate and Diana will need to be monitored on the wings. Ultimately they would settle for a draw and I think it’s highly debatable as to whether they will play an attacking game tomorrow or not. Whatever they and we decide on, it should be a great game. Forza Lazio!