Smells Like No Spirit

By: cathal | April 6th, 2009

Yesterday’s game may have avoided my eyes but my nose tells me that this Lazio side stinks. The only thing I can thrash around to or against is a brick wall. The frustration is killing me and it’s the same for all of us I am sure.

It is impossible to judge a performance based on highlights but from the highlights alone, it is easy to conclude that our defence let us down once again. The first goal was well-taken. Teams always seem to have brilliant finishers against us but I guess with this defence, there’s no need for an attacker to be panicked or nervous. Good goal, 1-0 Siena.

The second goal leaves much to debate, especially when it comes to our choice of goalkeeper. A long ball evades our defence, leaves Maccarone through on goal and prompts Muslera to come rushing from his goal and miss his clearance. Miskick? Don’t think so. Fear of injury? Possibly, but Nando rarely backs down. Bad judgement? Probably. The camera angle in the highlights below leaves much to the imagination but plain and simply, it was careless, almost carefree and it shouldn’t happen. However, Rossi has plenty to mull over.

Rioma next and I don’t need to stress the importance of this game. It means absolutely everything. One game can rebuild a season and with ours currently in tatters, it is a fine line between victory and complete failure. Nevertheless, with few expectations, a victory will be all the sweeter. Forza Lazio!

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Reaction:

“The club has taken the decision to impose a curfew, we must act on the current moment and try to turn things around for the better. The performance against Siena was simply not good enough. My squad has been through negative moments in the past, and they have already shown that they are capable of coming back even stronger.”

“Against Siena we are all at fault for the poor performance. I don’t wish to single out any individuals because we win and lose as a team. Today everyone played badly, but we must have the strength to stand tall once more.”

“The fact that the derby is just a week away is what makes the display even harder to digest.” – Delio Rossi

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“We can’t lose like this. You can lose, but you have to fight. The player’s don’t know me, but I will change now.”

“Siena haven’t paid their players for four months? I have always been punctual, but now I will change because we cannot continue like this.”

“From now on I want to see the team determined and with conviction. We have to concentrate and get the results. We have to show that we are attached to this shirt like the Siena players did with theirs.” – Claudio Lotito

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Highlights:

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Pictures: I don’t think anyone wants to see match photos these days. Thankfully, Piazzadellaliberta have posted exactly what I think we all need to see; pictures of the tifosi from yesterday’s game. To be uplifted, click here.