Europa League, Lazio - Elfsborg, Thursday, 20-8-09

the evening starts wonderful - 23' Kosice 1 - 0 AS Roma

Roman_Eagle wrote:

the evening starts wonderful - 23' Kosice 1 - 0 AS Roma

5' [1 - 0] M. Milinkovic Hope they continue with this

1-1 AS Roma

blue-white wrote:

1-1 AS Roma

Tottina on penalty...

3-3 kosice was behind 1-3 but managed to get a draw..:!

Im not happy if balla will be leaving foggia on the bench most of the season, i know there will be a lot of games, but i think hes not considered a starter!

Caxi wrote:

According to Lalaziosiamonoi:

Muslera, Kolarov, Cribari, Siviglia, Lichtsteiner, Baronio, Mauri, Matuzalem, Brocchi, Zarate, Cruz.

I've been told that Keene won't feature for Elfsborg and that probably explains the more likely inclusion of Cribari (his experience more important than Diakite' physicality). Cruz is preferred over Tommaso I believe, probably a technical choice on Ballardini's part more than anything.

Wow! Thats a lousy eleven, if that is Ballardini's main choices up there I am scared what will happen this season...That midfield is a joke, as is the two central defenders! It doesnt matter we are playing a weak team, that XI wil suffer loads this season, and considering the bench, there is not much that will make it better these coming months...

That's the formation that beat Inter 10 days ago with the exchange of Diakite and Rocchi for Cribari and Cruz. So what's the fuss. If that midfield managed to contain Inter's firepower and strength then what's with the criticism.

I'd only like to see dabo instead of Baronio, other than that not bad.

Baronio,Siviglia,...is this Serie B match or European League ...better i prefer Radu as DC instead Siviglia and i don't even like to talk about Baronio... i think we use all of our luck against Inter, we must play better now and attack...
i usually don't bet on Lazio but today i put some money on Lazio and Genoa, so ill be angry extra if we don't win :p

Foggia must play....i hope balla is a smarter guy than rossi was. I am happy he gives a chance to Cruz but Diakite must have his chance.
With Baronio and Mauri our midfield is fulfilled with style and good passing.......NOOOOOOOOOOOOOT

Cash wrote:

Caxi wrote:

According to Lalaziosiamonoi:

Muslera, Kolarov, Cribari, Siviglia, Lichtsteiner, Baronio, Mauri, Matuzalem, Brocchi, Zarate, Cruz.

I've been told that Keene won't feature for Elfsborg and that probably explains the more likely inclusion of Cribari (his experience more important than Diakite' physicality). Cruz is preferred over Tommaso I believe, probably a technical choice on Ballardini's part more than anything.

Wow! Thats a lousy eleven, if that is Ballardini's main choices up there I am scared what will happen this season...That midfield is a joke, as is the two central defenders! It doesnt matter we are playing a weak team, that XI wil suffer loads this season, and considering the bench, there is not much that will make it better these coming months...

I must agree with you 100% .... but maybe he knows what he`s doing. I`m waiting to see the team and after that i`ll say my opinion about the team but right now it doesent look like a smart choice to me either..

Latest reports in sweden say Anders Svensson is a starter and Emir Bajrami is in the squad but with him it still isn't clear if he will be on the pitch or start as a sub. Anyway as long as we do our own work as we should this match really should be in our hands

FORZA!!!!!

The criticism of Ballardini and this squad line up is slightly crazy

Firstly, let's see who actually plays.

Secondly, Diakite's pace and strength is useful against tall, strong opposition or pacy players. Elfsborg won't field anyone like that tonight I don't believe and for that reason the experience of Cribari is preferable for me. Siviglia's selection I do question but he has been a regular for years.

Also, Foggia is a super talented guy but aside from a few excellent performances, last year was an average season for him (by his own standards). He has a habit of giving away cheap fouls due to his poor defending ability and right now, Ballardini probably sees him as an ideal option for the second half if we're behind.

Last season, Rossi played Foggia on one wing and Brocchi on the other. Was that a balanced formation? I think not. With Eliseu misfiring in pre-season and with no second winger to rely upon, it's difficult to find a spot in the team for Pasquale. Our coach tried the 4-2-3-1 but thus far, that has been unsuccessful and as a consequence of that, Foggia hits the bench.

Link ?

Wooooo doggie what goals by the young guns!!!

Forza !! Well done guys. Too bad that i couldnt watch this one properly ...

Beautiful result! 3 goals!!! Almost can't believe it to be honest! Kolarev, Zarate and Mauri...I'll take it. Well done, lads. Off to a sensational start. First the Supercup and now our first match in Europa. Forza Lazio!

Good win. Keep it up team. Forza Lazio!

Very good win, with some outstanding goals. Mauri pehaps has a greater role to play than I though, but it was good to give Foggia and Rocchi a rest before the season opener. Clean sheet as well, job well done for tonight.

great result...but still not so convincing :p first i must say great game by Zarateee and Kolarov!
my view of the game:
Muslera - 7 (not much work but some good saves)
Li' - 7
Cribari - 7
Siviglia - 7
Kolarov - 8,5 (great game, he was going in attack very often and his goal OMG)
Brocchi - 5,5
Baronio - 5
Mauri - 7,5 (great goal)
Matuzalem - 6
Cruz - 5 (nothing special, i think Kozak or Inzaghi will do the same)
Zarate - 9 (simply the best, he run like a wind and he send all Elfs players where he wants :p)

Balardini - 7,5 (i cant understand why at the end we play with 5 in defence (something like 5-4-1) at home against this Elfs team)

Dabo - 5
Eli - 5
Diakite - 6

to summarize: great result until now - but we must buy (besides center defender) also something much better than:Baronio,Brocchi or Dabo!

Verry good result, we won't give this away anymore. We played verry well, i have good hope for the competition.

Baronio was much, much better than a 5 rating in my opinion and although Cruz wasn't great, he deserves a lot of credit. Keep in mind, he has only been playing with these guys for 2 weeks and has only 2 weeks of training behind him.

We're getting results; that is the key, if you offered me 3-0 before the start of the match, I would have taken it without a second thought.

Can't wait to see what Ballardini conjures up this weekend. I'm one of the few who completely understands his reasons for sidelining Foggia and the coach has my full support. That was an entertaining game and although Elfsborg could have sneaked a goal, it was a very decent performance.

Roll on Sunday

Cruz did well in holding the ball up, and Baronio was acceptable again. Good ball to Zarate for the second goal, adds depth to the squad.

Whilst I see what Ballardini is doing by keeping Foggia on the bench its not something that can continue in the long term. After all he is one of the best players in the squad and has a legitimate chance for an Azzurri place at the world cup. Defensive cover through Ledesma is key and the sooner that is sorted out the better, then we will see more of Foggia and deservedly so as creativity is key in any team. He offers that in abundance.

Great Result!

Forza Lazio!



Tremendous goal by the Zarate Kid, but holy sh.it Kolarov' was an absolute screamer!