Back In Business

By: cathal | February 22nd, 2009

Finally. We waited long enough and today it came. The three points that have been elusive in recent weeks will be taken back to the Olimpico. Dare I say it, with one win our season is back on track and we have to give credit where credit is due; Rossi was bold in his selection and it paid off.

Unfortunately I can’t say much about the game because there was no stream. Well, there was a lunatic that some of us were unfortunate (or fortunate) to catch. At the same time, I couldn’t really concentrate on the game with the combination of bad quality and the ridiculous host. Nevertheless, we can laugh because we won and there are many positives to be taken from this game. Fair dues, the performance wasn’t top drawer but it was sufficient and more importantly, clinical. A nice early goal via the deflected volley of Foggia had us well on our way and it was a relief to see Kolarov hit that absolute screamer shortly after the break. Seriously guys, it was some goal and I had a feeling it was coming. I couldn’t see him going much further into the season without opening his account. That’s not his style.

Delio has made his decision to make Pasquale a starter and as I said in the preview, he won’t let us down. He has character, he has talent, he has mental strength; all the qualities we needed to pull us through this bad spell. The goal will serve only to make him better as well. For me, he has to start ahead of Pandev, Zarate and Rocchi. That is a brave statement but I stand by it. I think Cribari coming back into the team is also a plus for us. I still have my doubts about Siviglia but I have faith in Emilson and expect him to hold down a regular spot until the end of the season. Ledesma on the pitch is pivotal. Look at how many games we have lost this season without him and you will see how necessary he is to the way we play. It was a risk to start him but it paid off. All in all, the team must get ten out of ten today; I can’t give accurate ratings because I did miss sections of the match but for the win alone, everyone deserves a ten. Those boys got us back on track today and come Bologna, we should be confident. We got the luck we deserved but the result is just precious.

On we go then. There is still much be done, still much to improve on but I reckon we can live up to the expectations. This is a good side, a strong bunch so let us keep the faith. Forza Lazio!

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Reaction:
“We need to improve and show our quality. This was not a match where we played much better, we need to think about the facts. My team had more quality, but we weren’t always able to express it.”

“We shouldn’t look at the standings today, but only from March onwards. Then, we will discuss our targets for the remainder of the season.”

“A coach must work regardless of his contractual situation. That is the least of the problem. When I am involved with a club, I act as if I expect to be there for my entire life,” – Delio Rossi

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“I dedicate my goal to my daughter. I have tried for a long time but until now was unsuccessful. Our objective remains the UEFA. We are still in the fight” – Aleksandar Kolarov

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