[Carson35]

Serie A Week 14 - 30/11/08 (14.00 UK)
Atalanta - Lazio
Stadio Azzurri d'Italia

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/sa0809/ata-laz.html

 

[Pietro]

I should be at this game, but it's a shame Cigarini's out, i would have liked to see how our little co-owned star is doing. Also relishing Zarate and Rocchi in action for the first time.

 

[Amir]

Have no idea what to expect.

I am eager to see the starting 11 picked by Delio Rossi.

I am sure he will surprise me yet again. How about injured Pandev for Zarate ?? heeheh

 

[Kafka]

I'm sure you'll find something to blame him for...and this time it could be perfectly understandable as Manfredini is expected to start.

Pandev is indeed out, but Zarate has recovered from his injury earlier this week. Matuzalem will be back, although he's not likely to start.

Gazzetta.it:

Carrizo
Lichtsteiner-Cribari-Rozehnal-Radu
Brocchi-Ledesma-Manfredini
Zarate-Rocchi-Foggia

There's so much wrong with that midfield...I hope that's not the one we'll actually start with.

 

[aquila]

In the run up to the game, Lazio took part in a show on RAI 1...
O1UdOSEyPEA
Don't miss Ledesma smiling :eekani:

 

[Amir]

I want this team against Atalanta:

Carrizo
Lichtsteiner - Rozenhal - Cribari - Radu
Brocchi - Ledesma - Dabo
Foggia
Rocchi - Zarate

So, a classic 4-3-1-2 and not 4-3-2-1 as used by Rocchi lately.

 

[Kafka]

Why not, although the difference is largely academic...it's not like the tridente plays in a line of three, anyway.

Watching the video just now...I like the announcer woman: "Lichtsteiner where are you?". Somehow I think that could have been established beforehand on TV.

And way to put down the Swiss...there's "more happiness" in Rome. Yeah.

 

[Anomander Rake]

I just want us to start playing football for the beginning, not 50th minute. As for the trident, 1-2 and 2-1 are just figures, we played best against Fiorentina, in a game where nobody could tell which of the forwards played where. Also, Foggia is not a classical trequartista by any means. Furthermore, Rossi wants consistency from Meghni but never starts him in two games in a row, often replacing him with people who haven't had two good games in a row for years...how does he want this consistency to be achieved exactly?

 

[aquila]

And way to put down the Swiss...there's "more happiness" in Rome. Yeah.

It would have been fun if Lichtsteiner had ventured into a sociologycal essay on the differences between life in Switzerland and Rome, adding Lille for good measure But he limited himself to state that he prefers Rome because of "better weather and evrything beautiful"

As for the line up, by now guessing Rossi's line ups is like guessing the Lotto numbers, you can do it but the chances of managing are pretty low. I don't know if Radu is better then Kolarov these days, and not forgetting that 3 days after this game there's the Coppa Italia game at Milan, I think Rossi could do some rotation.

 

[Amir]

I think there is a difference regarding 1-2 or 2-1.

Because, at 1-2, I want that our two forwards to stay more upfront and defend close to the midfield line. Let the trequartista run more, especially when we seek a goal.

In the last games, I really hated to see Pandev and Zarate and even Rocchi defending so deep towards midfield. That is why we find it difficult to start attacking cause there is just too much field to run to the goal.

 

[Anomander Rake]

We find it difficult to create decent attacks once we get in the final third of the pitch, not start them in the first place. Not getting anything done is a symptom of the "let's take a break in the first half" syndrome and has little to do with the tactics, IMO. I just think that when you have three forwards (or two and a half, if you wish), all rather quick, there is little point in fixed positions, let them roam in the final third as much as they can to confuse the opponents. And Rocchi has always defended a lot, I don't see why you are so shocked about it.

 

[Biancoceleste]

If it's 1-2 or 2-1 might make a difference on paper but when the game is on it's totally academic. Zarate, Pandev, Rocchi and Foggia - all of them have a tendency to seek out wide and take place in the game in a large area of the pitch.

If you want someone to stay in the box Inzaghi is your man but that's not really an option.

 

[Kafka]

And it's not like we don't create chances...of course we could be better, but I'd say that other than the Milan and Bologna games, in all matches we have created at least as many chances as our opponents. And we still lead the league in scoring. So please, some realism...we still pay mid-table salaries. I believe the team has done damn well overall so far.

 

[aquila]

Rozehnal has beaten the flu but it's now Foggia's turn to be in bed. So, maybe...

Carrizo

Lichtsteiner - Cribari - Rozehnal - Radu

Brocchi - Ledesma - Manfredini

Mauri

Zàrate - Rocchi​

 

[Kafka]

0-0 at halftime...in defense we have been alright and Zarate is dangerous as usual, but overall our performance has left a lot to be desired. The midfield control is there to be taken, but we miss way too many passes. Not at all a surprise with Mauri, Brocchi and Manfredini on the pitch...the three of them must have accounted for more than 20 missed passes.

This Atalanta team can be beaten, no doubt about that. Fortunately Brocchi and Mauri both seemed to pick up injuries near the end, perhaps we have a chance to see them replaced...

The best chance so far was Zarate's run into the box, where he could have easily gotten a penalty by going down on Atalanta defender's rugby tackle.

FORZA LAZIO

 

[Kafka]

1-0 Atalanta after massive screw-ups from Rozehnal and Carrizo...

 

[Pietro]

I was at the game today, until Atalanta scored, you looked the far more controlled team. Your midfield passed the ball around very well and Zarate is awesome. But it's clear to me that your main problem is a lack of height in the squad. Atalanta won almost everything in the air.

After they scored, obviously the game opened up and they got a second after i think it was your left back forget to step-up with the rest of the defence.

A draw would have been fair today IMO.

 

[Boyo]

Annoying how a couple of slip ups turn out to be the decisive moments of the match. Especially when we fail to make good on the few chances we got of our own.

 

[Anomander Rake]

Looks like I didn't miss much...
No wonder we lost with this midfield, I know we are missing players but a good coach needs to improvise like Rossi did against Chievo for instance. Not rely on Mauri and Manfredini as if it's their god given right to wear our shirt.
And just as I said, playing with two forwards does not mean we will score more.

 

[aquila]

This game made me feel a year younger...