Game 13, Serie A
Sunday, December 14, 2003
Stadio Del Conero, Ancona,
Ancona Lazio 0-1
A fantastic Liverani goal gives a not so brilliant Lazio a win at Ancona.
In Campionato, Lazio were fairly inconsistent. Good start, but then they just seemed to forget playing some matches, the 3-0 loss at Siena in late November being the prime example. However, when all seemed like doom and gloom, Lazio suddenly stirred and the week before today’s game beat Juventus 2-0, showing that there was potential if only the players put their brain and heart in the right place.
The match
Lazio came into this match following a great win against Juventus the previous week but also defeat in Champions League in Prague four days earlier. What Lazio would we have today?
Mancini insisted with the 4-3-3 and a front line made up of Roberto Muzzi, Bernardo Corradi and Stefano Fiore. But Lazio did absolutely nothing in the first half, with the exception of a half chance for Corradi. The players did not have a clue what to do and risked falling behind when Marco Esposito hit the cross bar in the 25th minute. Muzzi did not last long and was replaced by Sergio Conceição after 18 minutes. Matteo Sereni made two decisive saves and the first half was thankfully goalless.
The Lazio manager had to change something and Simone Inzaghi came in taking Albertini’s place. Back to a more logical 4-4-2, the players woke up and Ancona fell apart.
However, it took a pearl from Fabio Liverani in the 76th minute to get Lazio to score. The Lazio midfielder received the ball from Fiore, took a few steps and saw Alessio Scarpi a bit too far forward. The magnificent lob went over the goalkeeper and under the crossbar.
1-0 and three points to Lazio.
As a side note, during the game Pietro Parente had the brilliant idea of trying to kick Stam after a tackle. The Dutchman got up and grabbed his opponent by the throat. In the footage one can see the look of fear on the player's face!!!
Who played for Ancona
Scarpi, Esposito (72' Maltagliati), Viali, Lombardi, Daino, Carrus, Andersson (62' Parente), Baccin, Sommese (67' Maini), Rapaic, Pandev
Substitutes: Marcon, Sussi, Bruno, Ganz
Manager: Sonetti
Who played for Lazio
Sereni, Stam, Negro, Couto, Favalli (31’ Oddo), Albertini (52’ Inzaghi), Dabo, Liverani, Muzzi (18’ Conceição), Corradi, Fiore
Manager: Mancini
Referee: Racalbuto
Goal: 76' Liverani
Sources
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