Napoli – Lazio

By: cathal | March 7th, 2009

Lazio face a huge test tomorrow as the squad travels to Napoli to face a side who are in a steep decline. This is a game neither side can afford to lose or even draw if they want to keep their European hopes alive. We will be going there hoping to build on recent form while the opposition aim to halt their descent down the table. For the above reasons it is a crucial tie and it should conjure up an entertaining match.

There’s not much to say about us at the moment. Earlier this week we turned in a schizophrenic performance to back up a couple of professional displays against much inferior teams. However, it is pivotal that we don’t get too carried away with recent results and keep our focus as we look to close the gap on those ahead of us. Ultimately, we have achieved nothing this season and the real challenges are still ahead. Under normal circumstances, a draw tomorrow would suffice but given our UEFA hopes are slowly fading, a win is probably a necessity. Napoli will have similar thoughts in mind.

Lippi, the Italian national coach paid a quick visit to Formello this week to watch the team train and meet with the players. Although Rossi joked that he had come to see Kolarov, there can be no doubt that Foggia was the apple of his eye. In recent weeks, the Neapolitan has cemented a place in the team and you would expect him to feature tomorrow. As a result, Delio will once again have to choose two of the three main forwards; Pandev, Zarate and Rocchi. There are murmurings that Tommaso may not accept a spot on the bench for much longer so it will be interesting to see if Captain Balboa gets his chance from the off tomorrow. Another player linked with a possible departure is Carrizo and with Muslera featuring midweek, one has to consider the possibility that JP won’t get another chance this season. Keeping everyone happy is one of Rossi’s main problems at the minute.

Ledesma is irreplaceable and I would expect him to continue his seemingly glorious partnership with Matuzalem tomorrow. Meghni is still out while Mauri shone upon coming off the bench midweek. Dabo is injured also. I think depending on the formation selected by our coach, either Brocchi, Manfredini or Stefano will get the additional midfield place. My money is on Cristian. In defence, Kolarov, Cribari and Siviglia must feature unless Rossi decides one of them needs a break. Defensive security is hugely important for tomorrow so I would hazard a guess that Lichtsteiner will get the nod ahead of De Silvestri. Kozak has been called up rather than Inzaghi and thus I expect Libor to make his debut at some point tomorrow. Below is the line up I expect:

Lazio (4-4-2): Muslera, Kolarov, Cribari, Siviglia, Lichtsteiner, Foggia, Ledesma, Matuzalem, Brocchi, Pandev, Zarate.

Napoli have real problems at the minute. One of their most influential players, Gargano has fractured a bone in his foot which not only puts him out of tomorrow’s game but in all likelihood, the season. There are also rumours of a bust-up between one of Italy’s most talented defenders, Santacroce (who we were linked with in the summer) and Denis (the hidden dangerman of the team). Edy Reja will have to make a big decision about that but it seems as though Zalayeta will partner Lavezzi up front. Of course, Hamsik is their main protagonist and we will need to keep a watchful eye on him as he is troublesome. I think Napoli are there for the taking tomorrow but they are due a win and we will have to hope that we can postpone that result for another week or two. Forget the form tomorrow, that will count for nothing, this will come down to a battle of heart. Forza Lazio!

Previous Encounter: Lazio 0-1 Napoli (Siviglia o.g. 61)
Last Season: Napoli 2-2 Lazio (Hamsik, 5, 94, Ledesma, 25, Pandev, 34)
Stream: http://www.atdhe.net/live-tv-4586.html