Europa League, LAZIO-VILLAREAL, Thursday, 22-10-09

STATLER: Boo!
WALDORF: Boooo!
S: That was the worst thing I’ve ever seen!
W: It was terrible!
S: Horrendous!
W: Well it wasn’t that bad.
S: Oh, yeah?
W: Well, there were parts of it I liked!
S: Well, I liked alot of it.
W: Yeah, it was GOOD actually.
S: It was great!
W: It was wonderful!
S: Yeah, bravo!
W: More!
S: More!

Quote :

Look at what Valverde did, he pushed against 10 men without closing the gaps in the back and it bit him hard.

Let's not forget that Villareal missed some great chances too and Valverde had to win because a draw would have increased the danger to be sacked. Plus, our guys played like men possessed after the sending off, very different from Sampdoria on Sunday who livened up only after our sending off and looked more than happy to play for a draw before that. Yes, Foggia sucked in this game (although I don't think we defended any better with Mauri on) but the reason we were dominated in midfield also has to do with the passenger Baronio. Villareal had Senna to win a million balls in midfiled, we had Baronio ball watching, with our Senna counterpart - Ledesma, not even in the 25 men for the Europa League. Get rid of Baronio and we wil lbe able to play Foggia and Matuzalem together. Of course, if Foggia plays like today he shouldn't start because defending was not his only problem at all but that's a different issue.

Skenderbeu wrote:

centrocampista wrote:

I really only care about one thing: 3 points

For me your words is saying "I don't have any lazialita in me"
We other love the 3 points, but not only that. The victory gives our much more then 3 points right now.
But a fella like you don't see that. This game gave us very much, but for you, very little.

What a ridiculous comment Skenderbeu, Just quit it and enjoy the win without taking cracks at people.

What a drama, what a game. As usual couldn't watch the Serie A lately, but this was a cracker, one of the most entertaining Lazio games in a while.

I think the first half was bad because our front three got no service and were too isolated upfront, while Villarreal dominated midfield. Ballardini solved this quite interestingly by placing Diakite on the right back position, moving Lichtsteiner in to midfield and Matuzalem in a more central position.

Cruz did very well on setting up the goal for Mauro but that's probably the only thing he's done right all game. That of course doesn't include missing a sitter of a chance late on. He's been very frustrating to watch this season, because he always loses the ball when trying to beat a man and his hold-up play isn't that great (well at least in the SuperCup EURO games and Juve match I saw). It was a relief to see Mauri come on.

I also think Foggia wasn't good at all and Zarate was basically our only threat. What a threat though! Would be even better if he'd avoid running against five defenders. Great finish for the goal and unlucky not to score twice.

The defence was non existent for the first goal (Pazzini goal anyone?) and not to good in other moments. Although late on it could be explained because we risked sometimes with 10 men. But Villarreal could have scored a few if not for their poor finishing (probably being bottom in La Liga got on their nerves.

As for the Matuzalem red card I watched over the replay numerous time. Don't like to admit it it appears the ref might have been right on this occasion. I watched the replay numerous times and it looks Matuzalem might have went down early. See here:



The defender is going for it but Matuzalem seems to be going down already. The ref had a good view of this and probably spotted it. What confirms my thoughts are that Matuzalem didn't look like injured and seemed to accept the decision. Thankfully this bad move from him spurred us on this time, but next time might not be so lucky. On the other hand Foggia looked to have been fouled surely so we should've had a free kick...

All in all it would be probably wrong to say we deserved to win looking at the overall play, because the game could have gone either way. But we showed good spirit at the end and that's always good to see. This win might be the morale boost we were looking to finally get the season up and running.

Or not because we need to strengthen some positions... But this has probably been discussed many times and the transfer window is closed anyway.

For now let's enjoy the moment

Good win. Credit to Balla for putting Rocchi - a striker - on the pitch as a sub when team down to 10 men. And it also wasn't as if we were losing, it was 1-1.

Hope for a win in the return leg in Spain and we are through!

To add to my last post, okay he withdrew Cruz and put in Mauri. He could have played the last 15 mins with 1 striker and Mauri acting as the linkman from midfield, but putting Rocchi on was a great idea.

I agree that our forward line is arguably the strongest area of the team. We need some steel to be added in defense. Then we will be great.

Skenderbeu wrote:

centrocampista wrote:

I really only care about one thing: 3 points

For me your words is saying "I don't have any lazialita in me"
We other love the 3 points, but not only that. The victory gives our much more then 3 points right now.
But a fella like you don't see that. This game gave us very much, but for you, very little.

Do you usualy think that much, Skanderbeu ?

Great game last night, couldn't be more deservedly victory and sweeter in final minute. We deserved to score a couple before and it would really be a shame if we did't collect 3 points last night. Guys showed a great spirit, gave their best so we actually were even a better side since Matuzalem's red card (which was a shame for referee). I must say that Ballardini made really good substitutions, at the right time so his part in this victory is also important.
All guys were great but I have to single out Zarate who was amazing in my opinion. Maybe if he was less selfish in some situations he could've been more useful, but nevermind, we haven't seen a player like that in our shirt for a long time, with all though respect towards many great ones that wore Lazio shirt over past years and years...

when we will finish the game whith 11 players ?

As for Matuzalem's sending off, he fell early no doubt about it.

But the challenge a second before on Foggia was supposed to be a foul or at the very least dangerous play. It's frustrating seeing how at the weekend Baronio got sent off for a lesser offense, and now the same situation but we get nothing.

Matuzalem at least gets rested, and can focus on the League where we will be missing Baronio. In Villareal we can now try and play Foggia in Matu's place, or a classic 4-4-2 with him as right winger. But he badly disappointed yesterday, Lippi can't be impressed with what he saw.

I get goosebumps when I see Rocchi celebrating. Daje Tommaso!!!

Jofo wrote:

STATLER: Boo!
WALDORF: Boooo!
S: That was the worst thing I’ve ever seen!
W: It was terrible!
S: Horrendous!
W: Well it wasn’t that bad.
S: Oh, yeah?
W: Well, there were parts of it I liked!
S: Well, I liked alot of it.
W: Yeah, it was GOOD actually.
S: It was great!
W: It was wonderful!
S: Yeah, bravo!
W: More!
S: More!

great. i want your autograph.
just the atmosphere at the stadium, yesterday.

grat ballardini! we palyed the second half with 3 guys back and we won.
licht was grat as a mf.

Magnoem wrote:

What a drama, what a game. As usual couldn't watch the Serie A lately, but this was a cracker, one of the most entertaining Lazio games in a while.

I think the first half was bad because our front three got no service and were too isolated upfront, while Villarreal dominated midfield. Ballardini solved this quite interestingly by placing Diakite on the right back position, moving Lichtsteiner in to midfield and Matuzalem in a more central position.

Cruz did very well on setting up the goal for Mauro but that's probably the only thing he's done right all game. That of course doesn't include missing a sitter of a chance late on. He's been very frustrating to watch this season, because he always loses the ball when trying to beat a man and his hold-up play isn't that great (well at least in the SuperCup EURO games and Juve match I saw). It was a relief to see Mauri come on.

I also think Foggia wasn't good at all and Zarate was basically our only threat. What a threat though! Would be even better if he'd avoid running against five defenders. Great finish for the goal and unlucky not to score twice.

The defence was non existent for the first goal (Pazzini goal anyone?) and not to good in other moments. Although late on it could be explained because we risked sometimes with 10 men. But Villarreal could have scored a few if not for their poor finishing (probably being bottom in La Liga got on their nerves.

As for the Matuzalem red card I watched over the replay numerous time. Don't like to admit it it appears the ref might have been right on this occasion. I watched the replay numerous times and it looks Matuzalem might have went down early. See here:



The defender is going for it but Matuzalem seems to be going down already. The ref had a good view of this and probably spotted it. What confirms my thoughts are that Matuzalem didn't look like injured and seemed to accept the decision. Thankfully this bad move from him spurred us on this time, but next time might not be so lucky. On the other hand Foggia looked to have been fouled surely so we should've had a free kick...

All in all it would be probably wrong to say we deserved to win looking at the overall play, because the game could have gone either way. But we showed good spirit at the end and that's always good to see. This win might be the morale boost we were looking to finally get the season up and running.

Or not because we need to strengthen some positions... But this has probably been discussed many times and the transfer window is closed anyway.

For now let's enjoy the moment

But if you see the replay you can clearly see that the defender sees matu to late, his right foot hits matu´s left... I dont think he´s going down there, he just have a low "gravityline" he is running...

But yes there was a fk on Foggia, but lets face it, we dont have any luck with the refs ATM

@ Sile: do you really think Foggia is the reason we were over ran last night ? Except him and Zarate and Cruz I don't see any other attacking player on the field at the start and we surely can't start with 8 defensive players against the last team in primera division

and yes he is too far from Capdevilla on the cross but what about Cribari and Radu and some one else who even don't jump to get the ball ? this for me is the real reason about the goal. I saw a replay of the situation and I could clearly see that if Criba jumped he could fool the Eguren and the other guy that he would get to the ball and they would not expect it. Plus we put no pressure on the two men they had in the box against our 4.......


The good thing is we looked like a big team last night : played like sh*t, got a red card and yet we won :)

I completely agree with Jofo's muppet post

I was sitting cursing everyone, I have rarely seen such a poor first half from us. I was so frustrated too because it was on UK tv and even for the second half i was the same. No invention, no shape, poor defending. Diakite was the only positive I was going to take out this game. Then something happened. The mood changed, maybe it was injustice or maybe they just woke up but the team started to work. Even with a man down we began to dominate, the English commentators were getting excited. The introduction of Mauri and Rocchi really sparked us and to get the goal left me feeling euphoria so soon after feeling such depression and ache. I just wish it didn't have to take an incident to bring the best out our guys, why can't they have the belief all the time and play to their strengths?

On the individuals, Zarate was good. Wish he would pass the ball more! His finish was sublime, but could have played Cruz in a few times. Foggia was awful, as he has been this season. I'm not surprised when I see him on the bench, he can't do anything right now. He goes on a nice run but never has an end product, plus he can't pass or shoot to save himselft right now. The commentators gave him the best description - A luxury player, but too luxurious. I would much rather see Mauri on the field just now.

Cribari had a poor game, too slow, poorly positioned (except when he broke up a counter attack late on which was key) and made alot of poor clearances. Radu is getting better, I really like his brain, just wish he was better in the air. Lichti, bless, he works so hard. Needs to improve his crossing. Kolarov is great, we all know that. Bizzarri made a howler but redeemed himself, good game.

Baronio is still playing well, picking out nice passes, doing well in defense although he fouls too much. Matu, can disappear for ages but come into life and be crucial, was unlucky with the red I feel. Dabo did a job, not much else to say. Cruz sometimes works sometimes doesn't, he is still really useful to have on the field though. Thank God for Rocchi, even though he wasted a good chance you could see the difference he makes, he is so sharp and his runs are immense, was so pleased he got the winner.

All in all, I shouldn't be as happy as I am after watching this game but I am delighted. Weird.

CaptainLazio wrote:

But if you see the replay you can clearly see that the defender sees matu to late, his right foot hits matu´s left... I dont think he´s going down there, he just have a low "gravityline" he is running...

But yes there was a fk on Foggia, but lets face it, we dont have any luck with the refs ATM

I don't think the defenders right foot hits Matu. It's not however exactly clear from the angle. But if it does anyway it doesn't seem to be a lot of contact, he seems looking for it. Probably he felt a little bit of contact and thought he could try to use it, since the ball was anyway going away from goal.

Well I guess anyone can make their own conclusions but only the player knows himself. Guess it's not worth discussing it too much since we won anyway.

We have seen worse penalties being awarded let's face it :)

btw radu is improving fast.
just another player compared to 6 months ago.
wow!

zarate is just the most brilliant modern talent.

Roman_Eagle wrote:

@ Sile: do you really think Foggia is the reason we were over ran last night ? Except him and Zarate and Cruz I don't see any other attacking player on the field at the start and we surely can't start with 8 defensive players against the last team in primera division

and yes he is too far from Capdevilla on the cross but what about Cribari and Radu and some one else who even don't jump to get the ball ? this for me is the real reason about the goal. I saw a replay of the situation and I could clearly see that if Criba jumped he could fool the Eguren and the other guy that he would get to the ball and they would not expect it. Plus we put no pressure on the two men they had in the box against our 4.......


The good thing is we looked like a big team last night : played like sh*t, got a red card and yet we won :)

It's not about Foggia personally, but because we played a formation we very rarely use, and which leaves the 3 players in the midfield with an enormous task. They may be the last team in the Primera at the moment, but look at what danger can come at any second from a great pass by Rossi or a solo run by Nilmar coupled by an abysmal misunderstandings in the defense. And Foggia doesn't help one bit.

The first hald was absolute horror, I don't recall any shots on target apart from Zarate's goal, they had at least 5 fine shots. We don't need 3 good attackers if the whole game is taking place in our half of the pitch.

the real point is that you need a fast mf if you want to support zarate-foggia-cruz trio.
dabo isn't helpful right now.

just imagine dzemaili replacing dabo.
it would sound good.

I think that our defensive mids suck at defending right now. and yeah I know we could be down 0:3 in the first half but foggia is a winger and if I remember correctly most of the chances came form passes thru the defense

Really impressed by Radu yesterday.

Showed he is way above the level of Cribari, and for me Siviglia too.

We really need to start pairing Radu with Diakhte.

Nice performance by Radu to mark his 23rd Birthday.

Cribari has a serious lack of pace that was exploited a few times yesterday, luckily he was not punished.

A crazy game yesterday.In the first half we were awful,really awful.Even the second half started off bad.Diakite made a real difference,he can be a bit clumsy at times but im impressed ata the moment.The game only really started when we had a man sent off(did anyone notice that the ref forgot he gave Matuzalem a yellow in the first half?he had to go back and give red).Really strange,wish we would play like that more often.

The officials made some strange decisions all round.thought those extra refs were supposed to help.Turns out to be a waste of money.

Giolazio wrote:

All in all, I shouldn't be as happy as I am after watching this game but I am delighted. Weird.

Same here.