Europa League, VILLAREAL-LAZIO, Thursday, 5-11-09

I don't believe Villarreal have turned the corner just yet. The bottom teams of Spain are incredibly weak but clearly they are on their way to hitting some kind of form.

Still, I believe their confidence is just as fragile as ours and if we can ruffle a few feathers early on, we are in with a good shout. An early goal would be perfect.

I said form is temporary, class is permanent in relation to them last time out. Now, I'm going to apply it to us; I think we are a very decent cup side and grabbing a result is not unlikely.

I hope Villareal will preserve some players, this is our chance. If not..well we all saw what could have happened in Rome if they had been more accurate :)

none the less we can grab something out of this one

Villareal are on the run. I don't know what to expect.

Cazorla & Senna ruled out for Villareal, but Ibagaza will return.

Tenerife are a decent enough and very efficent team, and Villareal demolished them 5-0. Could be scary times ahead.

But hopefully we rise to the level we are capabale of, and we can surley take something, but to say it will be a difficult game is an understatement.

Senna was their best player when they played us in Olimpico, so that's some good news. If only Llorente would go missing

What a game this will be. We're in the same situation as them, albeit them coming into the game on a 2 game winning streak, they have 9 points from 9 matches and we have 11 points from 11 matches in respectivedomestic leagues. We're both massively underachiveing in domestic leagues but have every chance of progressing in Europe. We're both coming into this game with a massive match awaiting on Sunday, we play Milan they play Sevilla so it will be a true test of determination.

The difference is that they have won two games in a row now and we haven't won in the league since August 30...

Henrik wrote:

The difference is that they have won two games in a row now and we haven't won in the league since August 30...

Yes I mentioned that.

Also fatigue will be a great factor.
We've played 16 games in 70 days starting with the game against Elfsborg. That's a game every 4.3 days.
Villareal played 15 games in the same time.

Also international breaks have hurt both teams, some of the players on either side have been playing those matches as well. Now they only have 22 players available compared to our 36 (minus Pandev and Ledesma also some that never play) so we should be fresher on paper at least.

I say throw the 11 that's most physically prepared for 90 minutes of intense football, pass the ball to Zarate and pray to God. With no Matuzalem and the recent form of Foggia, Cruz and also Lichtsteiner and our CB's that might be our only chance.

If we get a draw...we are through (considering that we`ll prolly beat Levski). If not..this group will become very tough. I really want to see us in Europe next year as well.

If we don't get a positive result against Villarreal (meaning any win, draw or a loss 2-1, 3-2, etc) we would then have to beat Salzburg away on December 2nd with a 2 goal margin or 3-2, 4-3 etc and in the last round beat Levski and that would ensure qualification as well.

But I think that the 1st option is easier and more viable. If we draw against Villarreal and then Levski get a draw against them as well then we don't even have to beat Levski in the last round. Math gives me some hope, the rest is on the players.

btw today I noticed Villarreal is spelled with 2 "r", if anyone gives a sh1t

Sile wrote:

btw today I noticed Villarreal is spelled with 2 "r", if anyone gives a sh1t

I had been spelling it wrong for years, but I noticed when it came to the Europa League draw. 2 "r" just looks wrong...

Tenerife was terrible against VillaRReal. Our defence looks like Milans during the 90's compared to theirs. I think we have a good chance, Lazio is a cupteam and has always been. Now the players now that these games is all we have left to play for this season

Maybe it is better to lose and perhaps speed up the change of coach.

maybe.

Amir wrote:

Maybe it is better to lose and perhaps speed up the change of coach.

maybe.

No my friend,it would not be better to lose!

FORZA LAZIO

we will need to get a least a draw in order not to make things complicate.

FORZA LAZIO!

Check this out for complicated:

this thursday we lose to Villarreal, Red Bull beats Levski - RB 12 points, we and Villa tied at 6

next round we beat RB, Villarreal beat Levski - RB 12 point, we and Villa tied at 9

last round we beat Levski, Villareal beat RB - 3 teams tied at 12, Levski with 0 points.

Looking at head to head then, if that fails then it's goal difference, if that fails then it's coefficient where we're better than RB but way worse than Villarreal.

So Red Bull are still not safe :-)

lots of options but in the end we'll drop out with this kind of play

Roman_Eagle wrote:

lots of options but in the end we'll drop out with this kind of play

If we drop out I think that will be because Lazio will want to concentrate the fight on the league solo. For me Europa league is really pointless unless we reach semi-finals.

Jofo wrote:

Roman_Eagle wrote:

lots of options but in the end we'll drop out with this kind of play

If we drop out I think that will be because Lazio will want to concentrate the fight on the league solo. For me Europa league is really pointless unless we reach semi-finals.

I strongly disagree with you on this. For me the Europa league is a golden opportunity to get our name back in Europe. We have not done anything significant in Europe for a very long time now and even if we're playing the more lowly part of european football, we should not start making excuses about why we might fail in this competition.

Getting our name back in Europe is extremly important for us, if we want to attract better players in the future.

For me the top 6 in the league is already gone for us, we need to focus on the cup ( again sadly ) and the europa league.

The Europa League is massive for me personally. I wish we can go as far as possible, but one step at a time.

Id snatch the hand off for a draw on Thursday.

Jofo wrote:

Roman_Eagle wrote:

lots of options but in the end we'll drop out with this kind of play

If we drop out I think that will be because Lazio will want to concentrate the fight on the league solo. For me Europa league is really pointless unless we reach semi-finals.

cash mate...everything is connected to cash

ilsemprelaziale wrote:

For me the Europa league is a golden opportunity to get our name back in Europe. We have not done anything significant in Europe for a very long time now and even if we're playing the more lowly part of european football, we should not start making excuses about why we might fail in this competition.

Getting our name back in Europe is extremly important for us, if we want to attract better players in the future.

For me the top 6 in the league is already gone for us, we need to focus on the cup ( again sadly ) and the europa league.

Totally agree, important to get our name up there again, and hopefully return to it somehow next year.

Seems Baronio is sick,and might be out for the match. Seeing the drugdealer Matuzalem is suspended; Perpetuini will step in and save our midfield.

http://cittaceleste.it/cover_news_dett.php?Id=968

nice :)

no baronio no matuzalem no dabo....i doubt perpetuini can match the villareal CM....ledesma pleaseeeeeeeeeee!!!!!

Ledesma is not allowed to play...