Resist and conquer
Lazio defend stubbornly for long periods and then punish Milan late on
Also on this day:
The season so far
Lazio had narrowly missed out on Champions League the previous season with 5th place.
This year Edy Reja had been confirmed but there had been a few changes to the squad.
The main novelty was in goal, as Lazio had bought Federico Marchetti from Cagliari while Fernando Muslera went to Galatasaray, in Turkey. The other main new arrivals were defenders Abdoulay Konko (Genoa) and Lorik Cana (Galatasaray), midfielder Senad Lulic (Young Boys, a name to watch out for… Lulic that is), forwards Djibril Cissé (Panathinaikos) and above all Miroslav Klose (Bayern Munich).
The other main player leaving was defender Stephan Lichtsteiner (Juventus) while others were midfielders Pasquale Foggia (Sampdoria - on loan with clause to buy), Christian Manfredini (end of Contract -Sambonifacese) plus forwards Sergio Floccari (Parma - on loan with clause to buy) and Mauro Zarate (Inter - on loan with clause to buy).
In the recent January window, keeper Juan Pablo Carrizo (Catania - on loan), defenders Guglielmo Stendardo (Atalanta - on loan) and Luis Pedro Cavanda (Bari - on loan), midfielders Giuseppe Sculli (Genoa - on loan) and forward Djibril Cissé (QPR) had also left.
In Serie A the opening fixture on August 28 had been postponed to December 21 due to a players' strike over collective contractual issues so this clash had been the first game of the season at San Siro and ended 2-2.
Since then Lazio had won 10 (including derby 2-1), drawn 5 and lost 4. The Biancocelesti were in 4th position, on 36 points. Their most recent game had been a 3-0 away win at Chievo.
In the Europa League preliminary round against Rabotnički, from North Macedonia, Lazio had strolled to a 9-1 aggregate win. They then came second in the group stage after 2 wins (Zurich 1-0 and Sporting Lisbon 2-0, both at home), 3 draws (Zurich 1-1 and Vaslui 0-0 away and Vaslui 2-2 at home) and 1 defeat (Sporting Lisbon 1-2 away). This meant Lazio would have to meet Atlético Madrid, coming down from Champions League, in a playoff on February 16 and 23.
In Coppa Italia, Lazio had eliminated Verona 3-2 at home but then been knocked out by today's opponents Milan 1-3 away only five days ago.
Milan were reigning champions. The Rossoneri had won their 18th Scudetto under manager Massimiliano Allegri. Both games against Lazio had been draws. Top scorer was Zlatan Ibrahimovic with 21 (14 in A like Pato and Robinho).
This season Allegri was still the manager. The main new players were: defenders Philippe Mexes (Roma), Taye Taiwo (Olympique Marseille, he then left in January), midfielders Antonio Nocerino (Palermo), Alberto Aquilani (Liverpool - on loan via Juventus) and forward Stephan El Shaarawy (Genoa - via Padova). In January midfielder Sulley Muntari (Inter) and forward Maxi López (Catania) also arrived.
Leaving the Rossoneri were: defenders Marek Jankulovski (Banik Ostrava), Nicola Legrottaglie (Catania), Massimo Oddo (Lecce - on loan), Sòkratīs Papastathopoulos (Genoa), midfielders Alexander Merkel (Genoa) and Andrea Pirlo (Juventus - end of contract).
In August Milan had won the Italian Supercoppa defeating city rivals Inter 2-1 in Beijing.
In Serie A Milan were currently in 2nd place on 43 points, one point behind leaders Juventus. The Rossoneri had won 13, drawn 4 (including Lazio 2-2) and lost 3 (including derby 0-1). A week earlier the Diavolo had beaten Cagliari 3-0 at home.
In the Champions League Milan had qualified for the last 16 and would play Arsenal on February 15 and March 6. In the group stage the Rossoneri had won 2 (Viktoria Plzeň and BATE Borisov, both 2-0 at home), drawn 3 (Barcelona 2-2, BATE Borisov 1-1 and Viktoria Plzeň 2-2, all away) and lost 1 (Barcelona 2-3 at home).
In Coppa Italia, Milan would play Juventus on February 8 and March 20 in the semi-final. The Rossoneri had eliminated Novara 2-1 and Lazio 3-1, both at home).
So, a big game today between fourth placed Lazio and second placed Milan. It was a chance for Lazio to get immediate revenge for the recent cup defeat but also for Milan, with a win, to possibly go top of the table (Juventus played Parma away). Lazio had not beaten Milan at home for 14 years, since a 2-1 in February 1998.
The match: Wednesday, February 1, 2012, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
It was a freezing and wet Wednesday night in Rome and the pitch was a bit heavy. There were about 35,000 spectators present and the Lazio supporters were extremely disappointed in the recent January market session where the club had been expected to show more ambition but instead had only brought in midfielder Antonio Candreva (Cesena-on loan). The Roman was also said to have A.S Roma sympathies so was not welcomed particularly well...
Lazio were missing defender Modibo Diakité, midfielder Stefano Mauri plus forwards Libor Kozak and at the last minute Miro Klose. The German's absence was particularly worrying and Lazio played with Tommaso Rocchi as solitary striker.
Milan could not select defenders Luca Antonini and Philippe Mexès midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng or forwards Antonio Cassano and Alexandre Pato, all unavailable.
Milan started on the attack. Lazio were extremely aggressive on the Milan ball carriers with Álvaro Gonzalez, Senad Lulic, Hernanes and Francelino Matuzalém dropping back deep to help out in defence.
Milan's first chance came in the 6th minute but Federico Marchetti saved superbly on an Antonio Nocerino header from a Zlatan Ibrahimović cross.
Lazio battled and absorbed the pressure. The Biancocelesti's only opportunities were with long range efforts but Matuzalém was off target and both Lulic and Hernanes' shots were comfortably saved by Christian Abbiati.
El Shaarawy then showed sportsmanship when he went around Marchetti and resisted the temptation to fall into the keeper as many forwards do, he then pushed the ball too far and the opportunity was lost as his shot from a difficult angle was deflected into corner by Abdoulay Konko.
In the 33rd minute Milan went close with Stephan El Shaarawy again set up by Ibrahimovic but Marchetti blocked the danger. In the 38th minute Mark Van Bommel teed up the big Swede but he lost his step just as he was about to shoot. Halftime Lazio 0 Milan 0.
Not a great game so far. Milan were superior but Lazio fought as if their lives depended on it.
The second half started with some controversy. Lazio defender André Dias appeared to handball and the referee pointed to the penalty spot but then changed his mind after speaking to the linesman. The decision was that it was in fact El Shaarawy who had touched the ball with his hand. Big doubts remained.
In the 51st minute Dias was forced off injured and replaced by Lithuanian Marius Stankevicius.
Milan still attacked and Lazio were on the back foot. It was the Biancocelesti however who went close when Konko instead of crossing tried a shot which almost took Abbiati by surprise.
Lazio then had an appeal of their own when Stefan Radu was obstructed by Thiago Silva as he entered the box. Lazio protested furiously but the referee was not interested.
In the 66th minute Allegri decided it was time to change and brought on Urby Emanuelson for Massimo Ambrosini and Clarence Seedorf for El Shaarawy.
Milan continued to push forward with balls arriving in the Lazio area from all angles. Nocerino had a dangerous looking shot walled by the defence and then Ibrahimović had a chance from close range but shot too weakly and Marchetti blocked.
Lazio looked on the ropes but in their toughest moment scored themselves. Gonzalez surged down the right and slid it into the middle where Rocchi let it pass and it reached Hernanes who from a difficult angle, and despite being challenged by Alessandro Nesta, turned and fired it in on the far post. A great goal. Lazio 1 Milan 0.
At this point Allegri went for three strikers and threw on Maxi Lopez for midfielder Van Bommel.
There was suddenly more space in midfield for Lazio to counter. Hernanes shaved the post after being set up by another Rocchi dummy and in the 85th minute the Biancocelesti doubled their lead. This time it was Lulic who charged down towards the left by-line and pulled it back to Rocchi who anticipated the defence on the front post and smashed a left foot past Abbiati. Lazio 2 Milan 0.
In the 88th minute Lazio brought on Antonio Candreva who was whistled by some fans when he replaced Hernanes who instead went off to raucous applause.
Milan continued to pile forward until the end. Ibrahimovic went very close but pulled his low left foot just wide of the far post. In the 92nd minute Rocchi went off to give youngster Antonio Rozzi his Serie A debut but more to break up Milan's rhythm. Lazio resisted the five minutes of added time and clinched a great win. Full time Lazio 2 Milan 0.
A tactical masterpiece by Lazio. They absorbed long periods of pressure with all their players sacrificing themselves for the cause. The Biancocelesti knew the Milanese were superior so defended and bode their time to when they could exploit a few spaces. These punctually materialised late on and Lazio pounced.
Lazio were still 4th but now had a three-point advantage on 5th placed Inter (who had drawn 4-4 at home to Palermo) and seven on 6th placed Roma (who had lost 2-4 at Cagliari).
Milan were still 2nd but now two points behind Juventus and only two ahead of 3rd placed Udinese.
Who played for Lazio
Marchetti, Konko, Biava, Dias (51' Stankevicius), Radu, Matuzalém, Ledesma, Gonzalez, Hernanes (88' Candreva), Lulic, Rocchi (92' Rozzi)
Manager: Reja
Who played for Milan
Abbiati, Abate, Nesta, Thiago Silva, Mesbah, Ambrosini (66' Emanuelson), Van Bommel (78' Maxi Lopez), Nocerino, El Shaarawy (66' Seedorf), Ibrahimovic, Robinho
Substitutes: Amelia, Bonera, Zambrotta
Manager: Allegri
Referee: Damato
Goals: 77' Hernanes, 85' Rocchi
What happened next
Lazio finished 4th but again missed out on a Champions League qualification to Udinese. The Biancocelesti got into the Europa League and also had the satisfaction of defeating city rivals Roma 2-1 again in March. Top scorer was Miro Klose with 15 goals (12 in A).
In the current Europa League, Atlético Madrid proved too good and Lazio were eliminated 1-4 on aggregate.
Milan finished 2nd, four points behind winners Juventus. The Devil then won 11, drew 4 and lost 2 (including derby 2-4). Top scorer was Ibrahimović with 35 goals (28 in A).
In Coppa Italia the Rossoneri went out to Juventus 3-4 on aggregate after extra-time.
In the Champions League Milan knocked out Arsenal 4-3 on aggregate (4-0 at home but were then 0-3 down at halftime at the Emirates but managed to hold on). Milan were then defeated in the quarterfinals, 1-3 on aggregate by Barcelona.
With Juventus Champions in Serie A for the 28th time, at the other end Cesena, Novara and Lecce trudged down to Serie B.
The Coppa Italia was won by Napoli (Juventus 2-0) while Chelsea won the Champions League (Bayern Munich on penalties).
Let’s talk about: Antonio Rozzi
Antonio Rozzi was born in Rome on May 28, 1994.
He spent his childhood days with Casal Monastero, Lodigiani and Lazio who he joined at seven. He went through all the various age groups with the Lazio academy and in 2011-12 joined the first team squad.
He made his debut on February 1, 2012, in a home win against Milan, replacing Tommaso Rocchi towards the end. On February 23 he made his European debut in the return leg against Atlético Madrid. He made a total of 4 appearances under manager Edy Reja and Lazio finished 4th.
The following season under Vladimir Petković he made no league appearances but played 1 game in Coppa Italia and 3 in the Europa League. Lazio finished 7th but triumphed in the historic Coppa Italia final beating city rivals Roma 1-0. In the same season he won the Primavera Scudetto with the U19's as captain.
In the summer of 2013 he was loaned to Real Madrid Castilla in the Spanish 2nd tier. He played 10 league games.
He then joined Bari in Serie B. He played 9 league games under Davide Nicola and the Galletti finished 10th. Rozzi however left in January. One of his teammates was a young Gaetano Castrovilli, until recently at Lazio.
In January 2015 he moved to Virtus Entella (Chiavari-Liguria) in Serie B, still on loan. He only played 6 league games and the Black Devils finished 18th.
Next, he joined Virtus Lanciano in Serie B on loan but only played 1 league game before leaving in January.
As we can see his career was not really taking off. He now went down a tier and joined Siena in Lega pro (3rd tier) on loan. He played 12 games for Robur and they finished 6th.
In 2016-17 he spent a season with Lupa Roma in Lega Pro. He played 10 league games for the Romans who were relegated to Serie D.
At this point he returned to Lazio in 2017-18. The manager was Simone Inzaghi and Lazio finished 5th, Rozzi did not feature at all but played for the Primavera.
In December 2018 he signed for Qormi in the Maltese First Division. He played 11 league games and finally scored some goals, four.
In December 2020 he joined Trastevere, in Rome, in Serie D but only played 1 league game.
He then spent a season with Sant Julià in Andorra, one with Ferentino near Rome in the 5th tier and currently plays for the Luiss University of Rome team in the 5th tier.
Rozzi is a forward. He was considered a possible future star at Lazio in his youth but never fulfilled the expectations. His appearances for Italy at youth level confirm the hopes many had for him. He played for the U16s (2 games), U17s (2 games, 1 goal), U18s (9 games, 1 goal), U19s (7 games, 3 goals), U20s (4 games, 1 goal), U21s (3 games, 1 goal) plus 1 game with 1 goal for the Italy B side.
He will always be able to say he was part of the squad that won the 2013 Coppa Italia against Roma!
Lazio Career
Season | Total games | Serie A | Coppa Italia | Europa Leage |
2011-12 | 4 | 3 | - | 1 |
2012-13 | 4 | - | 1 | 3 |
Total | 8 | 3 | 1 | 4 |
Sources
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