Lazio's attacking duo gives Biancocelesti lifeline for survival

Season 2009-10

Game 29, Serie A

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Stadio Sant'Elia, Cagliari

Cagliari Lazio 0-2

Two first half goals by Rocchi and Floccari give Lazio desperately needed three points in Sardinia

Things were looking desperate, the Biancocelesti were 17th (out of 20) after 5 wins, 11 draws and 12 defeats, so on a miserly 26 points.

During the week Lazio had been sent to Norcia in Umbria on a sort of “punishment" training camp in an attempt to regroup. The club had offered a motivator but he was sent packing by the manager and team. The message was clear, we can sort this out ourselves.

Nevertheless Lazio were looking at Serie B in the face and today's opposition Cagliari were a solid side.

The match

The game was played on a lovely, sunny, mild spring day in beautiful Cagliari.

The hosts were without two suspended players Andrea Cossu and Davide Astori replaced by Andrea Lazzari and Diego Lopez (back after two months) while Lazio played with their predicted and probably best XI.

Lazio started as if they had a point to prove and were of course absolutely desperate for points. In the first three minutes they almost scored twice, first with Tommaso Rocchi and then with a Stefano Mauri shot just wide. The goal, however, was on the way. In the 4th minute Mauri put an intelligent vertical through ball into the area to Rocchi, who beat Lino Marzoratti and put the ball past Federico Marchetti. A perfect start for a low on confidence team, Cagliari 0 Lazio 1.

After only two minutes, Cagliari had their best chance of the entire game. A superb left-footed long range shot by Lazzari was outstandingly tipped over the bar by Fernando Muslera. It was however an isolated spark from the Islanders as it was the Romans from the "Continente" who continued to dominate. In the 19th minute Rocchi almost got a second when he tried an outrageous lob which just went over the bar.

In the 37th minute, Lazio scored again. Mauri found Rocchi who passed it to Sergio Floccari at the edge of the box, the Calabrese striker then literally went through two defenders, Daniele Dessena and Alessandro Agostini, and with the outside of his foot beat Marchetti coming out. A fantastic goal made up of a mixture of belief, skill and cool finishing. Half time score, Cagliari 0 Lazio 2

In the second half Lazio almost made it three after only fifty seconds. Another clever ball by Mauri cut through the defence giving Floccari space to cross in low from the left, but Stephen Lichtsteiner was anticipated just before a tap in. At this point Allegri went for a 4-3-3 formation taking off defender Marzoratti and throwing on forward Nené.

It was still Lazio though who had the next chance in the 60th minute, when a Cristian Ledesma freekick was well saved by Marchetti. Cagliari then had a half chance but Muslera was quick to anticipate Alessandro Matri after a good assist over the defence by Lazzari. The Biancocelesti kept Marchetti busy with more saves from Floccari and Lichtsteiner efforts and played out the game without running any particular risks. Final score Cagliari 0 Lazio 2.

Who knows what happened in Norcia or what was said but it seemed to have worked. The motivator would have to look for work elsewhere for now, as Lazio were determined and convincing today. They now had a 4-point cushion on the drop zone and would face Siena in a crucial game in 3 days time.

These 3 points today were like gold and in a way unexpected. At least Lazio were still alive and fighting.

Who played for Cagliari

Marchetti, Marzoratti (51' Nené), Lopez (64' Ariaudo), Canini, Agostini, Biondini, Conti, Dessena, Lazzari (81' Nainggolan), Jeda, Matri

Substitutes: Lupatelli, Barone, Brkljaca, Larrivey

Manager: Allegri

Who played for Lazio

Muslera, Biava (59' Diakité), Stendardo, Dias, Lichtsteiner (80' Scaloni), Brocchi, Ledesma, Mauri, Kolarov, Floccari (86' Cruz), Rocchi