Lazio are confident they can beat Juventus for the first time since December 2003 in Serie A when the two sides lock horns in Turin tomorrow.
The Biancoceleste go into the encounter looking to claim another famous scalp.
The Romans, without the distraction of European football, have had a great season.
They beat Inter Milan 3-1 in the last round to remain second in the standings, three points behind AC Milan and three clear of tomorrow's opponents.
"I didn't expect we would be second in the standings at this stage of the campaign,'' said Lazio midfielder Cristian Brocchi.
"But the will to show everyone that we are a team superior to that of last year has been there.
"To be in the top positions in the standings is fantastic for the fans and for us.
"We want to keep going and we do not fear anyone.''
Juve are unbeaten in 11 league games but have not been able to celebrate the success because of their failure to progress in the Europa League.
Sunday's 3-1 win at Catania lifted the Bianconeri to third in Serie A.
A win this weekend could see Juve climb to second and go level on points with Lazio.
"It will be a hard game against Lazio but we cannot fail,'' said Juve defender Leonardo Bonucci.
"Milan are flying, but we are Juventus.
"We can catch Milan, we are only six points behind.
"We have to be ready to take advantage if others slow down.''
Juve will fancy their chances after winning seven of their last 11 league meetings against Lazio.
Juve coach Luigi Del Neri will be hoping to recover winger Simone Pepe, who is doubtful for the encounter with the flu.
Juve defender Dzenek Grygera has shaken off a muscular injury and is expected to start.
Lazio will be without defender Stefan Radu, who serves a one-match ban.
With this miss of Radu,means Lazio defense will be wary a bit.
But,they won against Inter Milan last week.
That moment will give Lazio a courage to defeat Juventus,even if they never beaten Juventus since december 2003 in Serie A.
My prediction about this match is,the match will go open and both team will try their best to attacking their opponents.But defeating Inter Milan last week will gives something that make them careful at Turin.So,I will say,there are 2 possibilities in this match;Juventus 1-1 SS.Lazio or Juventus 0-2 SS.Lazio
But I hope Lazio can take the chance and get 3 points to make sure they can chase AC.Milan,who will fight against strong opponent,As.Roma.
Sabtu, 11 Desember 2010
Sabtu, 04 Desember 2010
SS.Lazio 3-1 Internazionale Milan
Defending Champions Slump Defeat to Lazio
Lazio moved Level on points with AC Milan at the top of Serie A thanks to an impressive 3-1 win over a lacklustre Inter Milan, increasing the pressure on Inter boss Rafael Benitez.
Giuseppe Biava put the hosts in front in the 26th minute and they seemed to be cruising to victory when Mauro Zarate doubled their lead in the 53rd minute.
However, Goran Pandev gave the defending champions hope in the 74th minute before the inexorable Hernanes sealed a deserved win for Lazio with a free-kick in the 89th minute.
Lazio had the first chance of the game in the 18th minute when Sergio Floccari managed to divert a cross towards the goal with his shoulder and Luca Castellazzi made a save on the stretch. The ball fell to Stefano Mauri, but his shot was blocked by Javier Zanetti.
The Biancoceleste took a deserved lead eight minutes later, although there was a touch of fortune about the way in which Biava put them in front.
Hernanes' header was blocked by Castellazzi, but the ball looped towards the goal with the Inter goalkeeper on the floor unable to react.
Esteban Cambiasso came to his rescue, but his goalline clearance was hit straight into the midriff of Biava and the ball cannoned back into the goal.
A good counter-attack almost led to a second goal for Lazio two minutes later with Floccari pulling the ball back towards Mauri, but Zanetti got back to make a crucial saving tackle for the second time in the match.
The hosts looked even better early in the second half and Zarate doubled their advantage eight minutes in.
He was picked out by Hernanes, although a poor attempt to clear the ball by Inter's debutant defender Felice Natalino assisted him as he ran through and lifted the ball past Castellazzi from eight yards.
Floccari missed the chance to make it three in the 57th minute as Lazio threatened to run riot at the Stadio Olimpico.
Hernanes shot 10 minutes later was parried to Floccari, who set up Mauri to wrap up the win, but he dragged his shot wide.
Inter then grabbed a lifeline thanks to Pandev's first goal since February in the 74th minute.
The Macedonian striker got lucky with two rebounds, one off Biava and the other off Dias before shooting past Nelson Muslera, who had otherwise had a quiet night.
All of a sudden, Inter were on top and Ivan Cordoba almost brought them level from a corner, but Muslera made the save.
ut Hernanes gave the result a more realistic look in the 89th minute with a direct free-kick which took a slight deflection off the wall on its way in.
Wesley Sneijder hit the crossbar in stoppage time, but Inter were unable to find a way back into the game as Lazio returned to the top of Serie A in style.
The result leaves Benitez's Inter seven points off pole position.
Lazio moved Level on points with AC Milan at the top of Serie A thanks to an impressive 3-1 win over a lacklustre Inter Milan, increasing the pressure on Inter boss Rafael Benitez.
Giuseppe Biava put the hosts in front in the 26th minute and they seemed to be cruising to victory when Mauro Zarate doubled their lead in the 53rd minute.
However, Goran Pandev gave the defending champions hope in the 74th minute before the inexorable Hernanes sealed a deserved win for Lazio with a free-kick in the 89th minute.
Lazio had the first chance of the game in the 18th minute when Sergio Floccari managed to divert a cross towards the goal with his shoulder and Luca Castellazzi made a save on the stretch. The ball fell to Stefano Mauri, but his shot was blocked by Javier Zanetti.
The Biancoceleste took a deserved lead eight minutes later, although there was a touch of fortune about the way in which Biava put them in front.
Hernanes' header was blocked by Castellazzi, but the ball looped towards the goal with the Inter goalkeeper on the floor unable to react.
Esteban Cambiasso came to his rescue, but his goalline clearance was hit straight into the midriff of Biava and the ball cannoned back into the goal.
A good counter-attack almost led to a second goal for Lazio two minutes later with Floccari pulling the ball back towards Mauri, but Zanetti got back to make a crucial saving tackle for the second time in the match.
The hosts looked even better early in the second half and Zarate doubled their advantage eight minutes in.
He was picked out by Hernanes, although a poor attempt to clear the ball by Inter's debutant defender Felice Natalino assisted him as he ran through and lifted the ball past Castellazzi from eight yards.
Floccari missed the chance to make it three in the 57th minute as Lazio threatened to run riot at the Stadio Olimpico.
Hernanes shot 10 minutes later was parried to Floccari, who set up Mauri to wrap up the win, but he dragged his shot wide.
Inter then grabbed a lifeline thanks to Pandev's first goal since February in the 74th minute.
The Macedonian striker got lucky with two rebounds, one off Biava and the other off Dias before shooting past Nelson Muslera, who had otherwise had a quiet night.
All of a sudden, Inter were on top and Ivan Cordoba almost brought them level from a corner, but Muslera made the save.
ut Hernanes gave the result a more realistic look in the 89th minute with a direct free-kick which took a slight deflection off the wall on its way in.
Wesley Sneijder hit the crossbar in stoppage time, but Inter were unable to find a way back into the game as Lazio returned to the top of Serie A in style.
The result leaves Benitez's Inter seven points off pole position.
Kamis, 02 Desember 2010
SS.Lazio vs Internazionale Milano Preview
Lazio coach Edy Reja believes his team must play "a perfect game'' if they are to stun Inter Milan tomorrow night at the Stadio Olimpico.
The Romans head into the encounter second in the standings, three points behind Serie A leaders AC Milan and four points above Inter.
"To beat Inter would be an important step for us,'' said Reja. "It would bring enthusiasm and would be a big boost in confidence for my players.
"We will need to play a perfect game but the time has come for us to beat a big club.''
Lazio have lost just once this season in the Eternal City, a 2-0 defeat to city rivals Roma back in November.
However, the Biancoceleste have struggled in recent weeks with draws at Parma and against Catania.
Reja has reason to be wary as Inter travel to the Italian capital on the back of last weekend4s 5-2 triumph over Parma.The result was all the more impressive considering the Nerazzurri were without top scorer Samuel Eto'o through suspension.
The outcome ended a four-match winless run for Rafael Benitez4s men and lifted the team to fifth.
"Our focus is still on the scudetto,'' said Benitez. "The tournament is still long and the team is showing character.''Friday4s encounter in Rome will be Inter4s last league game of the year and the Nerazzurri are determined to finish on a high.
"Lazio are doing well but we want to play a great game in Rome,'' said Inter captain Javier Zanetti.
"Our only thoughts are on the game in Rome, we want to win because we don't want to lose ground with the top teams in Serie A."Then we will think about the Club World Cup, which will end a magnificent year for us.''
Victory at Lazio would be a big boost in confidence for Benitez's men, who visit Werder Bremen in next week's Champions League fixtures before making the journey to Dubai to prepare for the FIFA Club World Cup.
Inter are still without suspended Eto'o and injured Diego Milito, David Suazo, Julio Cesar, Maicon and Christian Chivu.
The hosts will be at full strength with defender Giuseppe Biava having shaken off an ankle injury.
The Romans head into the encounter second in the standings, three points behind Serie A leaders AC Milan and four points above Inter.
"To beat Inter would be an important step for us,'' said Reja. "It would bring enthusiasm and would be a big boost in confidence for my players.
"We will need to play a perfect game but the time has come for us to beat a big club.''
Lazio have lost just once this season in the Eternal City, a 2-0 defeat to city rivals Roma back in November.
However, the Biancoceleste have struggled in recent weeks with draws at Parma and against Catania.
Reja has reason to be wary as Inter travel to the Italian capital on the back of last weekend4s 5-2 triumph over Parma.The result was all the more impressive considering the Nerazzurri were without top scorer Samuel Eto'o through suspension.
The outcome ended a four-match winless run for Rafael Benitez4s men and lifted the team to fifth.
"Our focus is still on the scudetto,'' said Benitez. "The tournament is still long and the team is showing character.''Friday4s encounter in Rome will be Inter4s last league game of the year and the Nerazzurri are determined to finish on a high.
"Lazio are doing well but we want to play a great game in Rome,'' said Inter captain Javier Zanetti.
"Our only thoughts are on the game in Rome, we want to win because we don't want to lose ground with the top teams in Serie A."Then we will think about the Club World Cup, which will end a magnificent year for us.''
Victory at Lazio would be a big boost in confidence for Benitez's men, who visit Werder Bremen in next week's Champions League fixtures before making the journey to Dubai to prepare for the FIFA Club World Cup.
Inter are still without suspended Eto'o and injured Diego Milito, David Suazo, Julio Cesar, Maicon and Christian Chivu.
The hosts will be at full strength with defender Giuseppe Biava having shaken off an ankle injury.
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