Lazio – Livorno

By: salvatore | March 8th, 2008

Lazio welcomes fellow Serie A struggler Livorno to the Olimpico tomorrow, and as always, it should be a heated affair, even if we’ve won 14 of 15 meetings against them.

What causes the tension between the two teams, essentially, is stupidity. Flat-out, politically influenced stupidity. Which, to be honest, makes me sick, especially since I strongly disagree with a lot of the right-wing ethos of Lazio’s ultras.

Having said that, we really need three points, so those commie bastards can kiss my ass.

kiss my ass

This is the last winnable game before the Aquile enter the phase of the schedule that looks like this:

Hell

Yep, after this little tussle at Olimpico, Lazio’s next four games are against Udinese, Merda, Fiorentina, and Inter Buenos Aires. Which means, basically, they need to win this one or run the risk of going five games without a point.

With injuries to Zauri, Mutarelli, Del Nero and faccia di Schiaffo Behrami, as well as suspensions to De Silvestri and Mudingayi, Delio’s task won’t be easy. The trident attack stays in place, with Pandev playing behind Rolando Whitey and Tommaso Bald-Boa. In midfield Dabo will try to continue rehabilitating the near comatose Cristian Ledesma, and Manfredini, I’m sure, will be as underwhelming as usual.

This leaves the back four, which will likely feature Radu, Cribari and Kolarov, as well as Rozehnal, who will finally make his first start. Hopefully all this rejigging won’t affect the defense too badly, especially with Tavano set to be a real pain in the neck.

Probably formations:

Lazio: Nonno Ballotta; Rozehnal, Siviglia, Cribari, Radu; Ledesma, Manfredini, Dabo; Pandev; Bianchi, Rocchi

Livorno: Amelia; Grandoni, Knezevic, Galante; Balleri, Pulzetti, De Vezze, Filippini, Pasquale; Tristan, Tavano

Likelihood that Lazio blows it: 40%
Likelihood of political slogans, banners and other related stupidity: 100%

Here’s what happened the last time these teams met: