We Lost? When!?

By: cathal | May 12th, 2009

If you can’t remember watching Lazio slump to another defeat at the hands of Udinese, I forgive you. It wasn’t exactly an enthralling game and at the same time, I’m sure the majority of laziali have tunnel vision as their eyes focus on Sampdoria.

I won’t say much about the game because the result is immaterial. This season now rides on a certain fixture tomorrow night and we can take positives from the three clashes before this losing streak. The last three games have been worthless. Yes, I understand that we are conditioning our players, resting our top stars and giving our bench a run out but what use is that when we have to deal with being losers for a few weeks? None whatsoever. If you have a firm belief in the wonder of momentum then perhaps Samp’s 5-0 win over Reggina is scaring the bejebus out of you.

So here we go, head first into the Coppa finale with no recent win to our name to take on a side who have just thumped a team we struggle to beat. Get singing Curva because we may need all the support we can get. Forza Lazio!

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Reaction:

“There was a drop in concentration. Before my opening goal we had been playing well, then we stopped playing and tried to control the match. Udinese, meanwhile, played better and put us in difficulty, and it did not end well for us.”

“We started thinking about the final too early, but now we have to turn the page and prepare for the final, and only think about winning it.” – Tommaso Rocchi

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“We thought we would be able to control the match after the goal but that is not a part of our characteristics.”

“Pandev will certainly be back for the final. Tonight I gave some players rest but against Sampdoria we are playing for everything in one night.”

“There will be a lot of pressure because we are playing in our own stadium, there will be a lot of emotion, but I think it’s better to play these kinds of games at home.” – Delio Rossi

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Highlights:

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Pictures: http://www.lazialita.com/VisualizzaSezione.asp?IdArticolo=3738

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Player Ratings:

Muslera – 5.0: Has been sensational since winning the job from Juan Pablo Carrizo but will not be happy that he was beaten at the near post by Floro Flores for Udinese’s first goal. Was rooted to the spot on D’Agostino’s strike and had no chance on Quagliarella’s spot-kick.

De Silvestri – 6.0: The Lazio youth product made a couple of galloping runs that left Pasquale for dead in the first 45 minutes but more often than not the final product was lacking.

Siviglia – 4.0: Lucky not to have conceded a penalty when he grabbed a handful of Quagliarella’s shirt and took him down in the 22nd minute. Saved a certain goal from Pepe in the second half but then ended up giving away a spot-kick when he pulled down Floro Flores that put the match to bed.

Rozehnal – 5.0: It was a tale of two halves for the Czech defender who was solid in the first 45 minutes but then overrun in the final period.

Radu – 6.0: Made a sensational run that set up Rocchi for one of the best chances of an otherwise drab first half but was nowhere to be found in the second 45 minutes.

Lichtsteiner - 5.5: Was guilty of losing possession too often for his coach’s liking and will be disappointed with his performance tonight.

Matuzalem – 5.0: It was the Brazilian midfielder’s foul on Asamoah that led directly to D’Agostino’s goal.

Dabo – 6.0: Protected his back four valiantly in the first half but had no answers for D’Agostino after the break.

Del Nero – 6.5: Almost opened the scoring with a long-range effort in the 13th minute and then played a major role in the opening goal finding Zarate who then layed the ball off to Rocchi to fire home.

Rocchi – 6.5: The Biancocelesti captain was quiet in the first half but managed to open the scoring with a rocket from 18 yards out.

Zarate – 7.0: The Argentine dynamo set up Rocchi’s goal with a superb lay-off and then almost grabbed a goal of his own with a free-kick delivery in the 61st minute.

Subs

Brocchi - 4.0: Red card was the “highlight” of his game really. He will be of vast importance tomorrow.

Mauri – 5.0: Didn’t do much wrong but didn’t do much in the time he was on the pitch anyway.

Meghni – 5.0: Same as Stefano.