Protests, Eggs and Igli Tare.

By: salvatore | February 26th, 2008

Unsurprisingly, the team’s lousy display in Sardinia has raised a ruckus, and the Aquile’s training sessions have been met with protests, chants and thrown eggs (which raises the question, just what kind of person carries eggs around? Was he just passing by with his groceries? Or did he carry them all the way from home?)

It’s so bad that the fans actually want more playing time for Igli Tare. Igli Freaking Tare. That’s how bad we are folks.

Tare

Particular scorn has been reserved for Rocchi and Pandev (and Bianchi apparently, even though he hasn’t had much playing time to convince anyone of anything), and it seems the tifosi are demanding more playing time for players with “hunger” and passion. Evidently, this means people like Tare, Meghni, Dabo, Baronio, and um, Fabio Vignaroli, so yeah, we’re basically up shit’s creek without a paddle.

The reassuring thing about Lazio these last few years has been the presence of Lotito (vattene) as a readily available scapegoat. No matter what happened, it was easy to point the finger at him and yell, “Asshole!” He is, after all, that special brand of smugness that mixes arrogance with incompetence. How can you not want to blame him for all of your troubles?

Well, for the first time since he’s been at the club, he’s actually not completely at fault (I just threw up a little). Yes, his management of the team at the beginning of the season was a total crock, and yes, leaving us with a 43- year- old starting keeper is an embarrassment of epic proportions, but he did reinforce the team in January. He did bring in players to increase our depth and tactical options. Granted, it was three months late, and only after they’d blown an incredible Champions League opportunity, but he did do it. No, the only person who can take responsibility for the way the team has played lately is Rossi. Only Delio can take the blame for their listless, lazy performance. And take it he is.

Reportedly, the training ground protests were so bad he had to stop to plead with fans, and tell them to direct their anger toward him, and not the players. That’s an admirable thing to do, and another example of the man’s character and toughness, but it’s going to cost him his job. Already, numerous candidates have been mentioned to replace Big Daddy.

Here’s a brief recap:

1) Stefano Colantuono

Pros: Looks like the type of hard-ass that can whip the team into shape.
Cons: Looks don’t count for anything, and he’s only had about a year and a half of real Serie A experience. Hard to see this as a long-term improvement.

2) Leonardo Acori
Acori
Pros: Has led lowly Rimini all the way up from C2 to Serie B, so he would seem to have a strong sense of building a team from the ground up.
Cons: Has even less experience in the big show than Colantuono, and with legions of Lazio fans currently asking, “Leonardo who?” It probably won’t be a popular move for Lotito to make.

3) Paul Le Guen
Le Guen
Pros: Has a ton of experience both playing and coaching in different leagues and levels, and may be able to bring the team some much needed freshness and perspective.
Cons: Since leading Olympique Lyonnais to three titles, has had trouble coaching Rangers and PSG. Also, he’s French.

If a move has to be made, I’d be happier with Le Guen solely because he’s actually had some managerial success, whereas the others might come in with much lower expectations. I won’t even go into the rumor involving Marcello Lippi. The odds of that happening are about as good as Jessica Alba declaring her love for me.

As for the match tomorrow, who the hell knows what can happen? We’re a mess, and Reggina is coming off a win against Juventus (albeit thanks to Sissoko’s stupidity).

Looking at the probable roster, it seems Delio is listening to the fans, but in reality, he’s being forced into some squad rotation because of Serie A’s hectic schedule, the suspension of Behrami, and injuries to Muttarelli, Firmani and Mudingayi. Up front, Rolando Whitey will finally get a chance to start, and will be partnering Pandev. Radu and De Silvestri will get the nod at the left and right back positions, and Meghni and Dabo are reportedly going to replace Mauri and Mudingayi in the engine room. Hopefully one of them can inject some much needed energy.

Should they pull off a win, Rossi has some more time to save his job. If they lose (or draw) he’s going to be in some real hot water. Either way, it should be interesting.

Probably formations:

Lazio: Nonno Ballotta; De Silvestri, Siviglia, Cribari, Radu; Dabo, Ledesma, Manfredini, Meghni; Bianchi, Pandev

Reggina: Campagnolo; Cirillo, Valdez, Aronica; Alvarez, Barreto, Cascione, Hallfredsson; Vigiani, Brienza, Makinwa

Likelihood Lazio blows it: 50%
Likelihood someone throws an egg or two on the field: 75%

This is what happened the last time these teams met: