Drawing Blanks

By: cathal | November 2nd, 2009

Laziali across the world demanded a response yesterday and found nothing. We may have picked up a point against our mercurial foes in Siena but it does little to relieve the pressure, strain and just about everything else that makes it difficult to get out of bed these mornings (or afternoons if you’ve hit that point). Under normal circumstances, the die-hard statisticians would see this as a point gained rather than two points lost but when your current stats are gloomy to the point where you can barely look yourself straight in the mirror, it is of little consolation.

Mauri (Lazialita) 01-11-09

The key to picking up three points yesterday was keeping Maccarone quiet but our boys, and in particular, Siviglia, made him look like Sammy Eto’o. You can understand nerves at this time and a lack of confidence but when you know the opposition has one threat and (with all respect to the Tuscans) one threat only then you have to keep the danger at bay. Sebastiano was handing Massimo belated birthday presents all day long, one of which ended in a horrendous goal and another should have ended in the dismissal of Muslera, if I’m being honest. From the little I saw, two players derailed our comeback yesterday and of course, one of them would have to be our most experienced centre-back. Good omens for Villarreal. Not.

Muslera (Lazialita) 01-11-09

As for our tactics, I thought we had it spot on prior to the game. Rocchi has been so poor recently, he deserved to be dropped and I thought Cruz would be able to hold the ball up, bring Zarate and Foggia into the game and feed off their scraps. It seems that plan failed and for an attack that many hailed as one of the best in Serie A to be misfiring in all cyclinders is frankly unforgivable. I realise Maurito is suffering from a bad case of second season syndrome, I understand Tommaso is probably past it, I’ve noticed that Julio lacks fitness and I appreciate that Pasquale tends to resemble a lost sheep all too often but surely we can sort this one out at the very least? It’s frightening. We can’t miss Goran that much surely?

Zarate (Lazialita) 01-11-09

Next up; Villarreal. At least we have a table there that we find ourselves in the top half of. Having lost touch with that ridiculous 13 team pack in Serie A, we need to grab something in the Europa League. A single point would put us in a great position; that needs to be the aim. Small steps and perhaps we can escape this mess. Forza Lazio!

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Reaction:
http://www.goal.com/en/news/10/italy/2009/11/01/1597854/lazio-impose-press-silence-following-draw-with-siena – technically a reaction but it looks like we may have to cut this part of the review for at least a few weeks…

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Highlights: