[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.

 

[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.

 

[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.

 

[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...

 

[Kafka]

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.

Funny that I saw the game completely differently. We may have passed the ball well without pressure, but just about every time Atalanta pressed us, our passing game crumbled. About headers, I thought they went about 50/50. Sure, Rocchi and Zarate didn't win any, and that might have given you the impression. But I don't think we suffered in air in midfield or defense. Not to mention that neither of their goals had anything to do with headers...

None of our midfield players should be content with their performance...I actually thought Manfredini was the best of the starters. That says a lot. Brocchi...better not say anything. And Mauri is a ghost, Rossi must realize that.

The defense was ok overall, but couple of bad slip-ups decided the result. Too bad for Rozehnal because until that he had played a very good game. Carrizo has a tendency for overplaying, and it certainly cost us in the first goal.

Our best, again, Zarate.

 

[Kafka]

They did, that's why I was so disappointed at us not being able to take control of the midfield. And I agree, up front we clearly suffer from lack of height. It has been this way for years...and we still insist on playing a lot of long balls. But it's not nearly as bad as last year, when we hit like 30 a game.