Serie A Preview: Lazio - Roma
What: Serie A, Week 29
Who: Lazio – Roma
Where: Stadio Olimpico, Roma
When: Wednesday, March 19, 20:30CET
Biggest match in Biancoceleste seasonIs this the biggest match of the 2007-08 season for Lazio? Maybe a big call considering they did play Real Madrid in the Champions League but facing a Scudetto-challenging Roma side in a highly charged derby is something which means the world to Lazio tifosi.
With no chance of a top four finish themselves, and only the Coppa Italia to play for, damaging Roma’s chances of winning the league is a matter of utmost importance for the Aquilotti. For fans of both Lazio and Roma, winning the Derby is as good as winning silverware, only a Scudetto and a Champions League would be valued more.
The Biancocelesti have not lost since the ill-fated trip to Cagliari and impressive draws away to Udinese and Milan. At home, they have also improved their record with two wins against Livorno and Reggina, with Delio Rossi’s side turning in its best performance of the season against the Tuscans.
No doubt that after their abysmal season, the Laziali will not be rated highly by many going into this crucial Derby, but during recent outings they have looked good and with Rossi’s new system working wonders, Lazio are well placed for a stunning upset win, just as they did over a year ago in December 2006.
Giallorosso Scudetto hopes revivedWith a 2-1 victory in Milan, Luciano Spaletti and his team made a great stride towards closing the six point gap separating them and Campionato leaders Internazionale.
It is a long shot but Roma are well and truly waiting for a Nerazzurri slip up to take advantage of. The Lupi amazingly, are still in contention for all three titles, Serie A, Coppa Italia and the Champions League and should they continue their solid form and with a lot of luck, the Romanisti may enjoy some silverware at the end of the season.
Having last won the League in 2001, this is by far the strongest Roma side since then with Francesco Totti accompanied by Amantino Mancini, Simone Perrotta, Daniele De Rossi and Rodrigo Taddei in a quality line-up.
In home grown Alberto Aquilani, Roma continue to produce quality talent. Whether this will result in a Scudetto is another question as they have lacked the consistency shown by Inter, a 3-0 loss to Siena a good example of that.
Derbies are different to regular league matches. The pressure is greater, the crowd is louder, the quality is high and to win a Derby, all players must be at the top of their game.
Roma twice came from behind earlier this season to defeat Lazio 3-2, however they famously lost 3-0 to goals from Ledesma, Oddo and Mutarelli last season despite flying high at the time.
Should the Giallorossi underestimate Lazio once again, they could find themselves in for a painful night. There is no doubt that the quality is there at Roma, whether they have what it takes to win a Scudetto could be answered on Wednesday night.
FORM GUIDELazio
Udinese - Lazio 2 – 2 15/03/2008 SERIE A
Lazio - Livorno 2 – 0 09/03/2008 SERIE A
Milan - Lazio 1 - 1 01/03/2008 SERIE A
Lazio - Reggina 1 – 0 27/02/2008 SERIE A
Cagliari - Lazio 1 – 0 24/02/2008 SERIE A
Roma
Roma - Milan 2 - 1 15/03/2008 SERIE A
Napoli – Roma 0 - 2 09/03/2008 SERIE A
Real Madrid – Roma 1 - 2 05/03/2008 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Roma – Parma 4 - 0 01/03/2008 SERIE A
Inter Milan - Roma 1 - 1 27/02/2008 SERIE A
TEAM NEWS Lazio
The biggest worry for the Biancocelesti is the thigh injury young gun Stefan Radu suffered, however the signs look good for him and he should pull up fit. Should he not make it, Serb Aleksandar Kolarov should play at left back. Captain Luciano Zauri, midfielders Mutarelli and Firmani and forward Del Nero are all injured. The trio of Bianchi, Rocchi and Pandev will start once again, keeping Azzurri man Stefano Mauri on the bench. One yellow card for Goran Pandev will see him miss the following match in Firenze.
Probable Line-Up: Ballotta; De Silvestri, Siviglia, Cribari, Radu; Dabo, Ledesma, Behrami; Pandev, Bianchi, Rocchi
Roma
Despite his winner in Milan, Montenegro international Mirko Vucinic may have to accept a super-sub role in the Derby. Francesco Totti will start up front, with Rodrigo Taddei and Mancini attacking out wide, and Perrotta, Pizzaro and De Rossi pulling the strings for Roma in the centre of the park. Aside from Marco Cassetti, Giallorosso boss Spaletti has a full squad.
Probable Line-Up: Doni; Cicinho, Panucci, Juan, Tonetto; De Rossi, Pizarro; Taddei, Perrotta, Mancini; Totti
PLAYERS TO WATCHCristian Ledesma (Lazio)
The Argentine midfielder has been horribly out of form this season and has not matched his quality performances of last year. A 30 metre strike in the Derby was his highlight of 2006 and with an assist for Rocchi and another good long range effort last week in Udine, Lazio fans will hope that misfiring Ledesma is back to his best.
Daniele De Rossi (Roma)
One of the key players in this Roma side who was produced by the club, De Rossi will control the midfield and pull the strings as Roma play their unusual attacking brand of football despite only lining up with one forward.
PREDICTION
Form suggests that Roma will win the Derby, but these Derbies are usually more like a cup final and form is irrelevant. It takes passion and fight as well as a high class performance on the day to win; Lazio will not be as easy to beat as many may think, pride is often a decisive factor in the Italy's greatest Derby.
Lazio 1-1 Roma
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This post has been edited by Tifozi on 19 Mar 2008, 13:20
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S.S. LAZIO1900 VS A.S. ROMA, რომაული დერბი
