Game 1, Serie A
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Lazio Atalanta 1-0
A fatigued Lazio edge Atalanta with solitary Rocchi goal
Lazio's season had started in a dreamlike fashion. On August 8 in Beijing, the Biancocelesti had defeated José Mourinho's winning Inter 2-1 to lift the Italian Supercoppa for the third time. Goals by Francelino Matuzalém and Tommaso Rocchi sank the seemingly invincible Nerazzurri.
Lazio started the league with the enthusiasm of having won silverware but realistically did not expect any more miracles from the season.
The match: Sunday, August 23, 2009, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Not a big crowd for Lazio’s league debut, about 25,000. It was an 8.45 kick-off to avoid the August heat and Lazio had also played in Europe three days earlier (Elfsborg 3-0 in Europa league playoff) so there were concerns over their stamina over the 90 minutes.
Before the whistle there was time for long and heartfelt applause for Angelo Gregucci, former Lazio player and "meno nove" (-9) season hero.
Lazio chose Rocchi, Mauro Zarate and Pasquale Foggia up front while the visitors opted for Cristiano Doni and Robert Acquafresca.
Both teams had early chances. Zarate teed up Rocchi but the Venetian shot high. For Atalanta, Acquafresca took advantage of a careless Cristian Brocchi back pass but he could not find the target.
Gradually however the "Dea" gained control of the midfield with Jaime Valdes and Simone Padoin forcing Alexander Kolarov and Stephan Lichsteiner to stay deep, leaving Rocchi too isolated. The visitors however never found the last pass to be really dangerous and were limited to a couple of long-range shots by Barreto.
In the 22nd minute Lazio stirred and went ahead. A brilliant Foggia assist put Rocchi through and this time he found the net with a low finish. Lazio 1 Atalanta 0.
At this point Lazio made a slight tactical change, bringing Foggia further back and placing Zarate further forward. This subdued Atalanta's control of the wings and the visitors faded. It was Lazio who went closest to scoring again. Just before halftime a Kolarov cross goal left foot went wide by a whisker.
There were no changes at halftime. It was immediately clear that Lazio were flagging, the lack of fitness, the heat and especially Thursday' s game were taking their toll.
In the 54th minute the Nerazzurri went close when Acquafresca shot high from the penalty spot after a György Garic cross, the so-called penalty in movement. Atalanta pushed forward and Ballardini was forced to bring on some fresh legs. First Ousmane Dabo replaced Roberto Baronio and a few minutes later Francelino Matuzalém came on for Foggia.
With a compact midfield Lazio managed to tamper the pressure better and occasionally ventured forward with a couple of Zarate efforts but they were off target.
Atalanta attacked until the end and had a penalty appeal waved away, when Emílson Cribari held on to Simone Tiribocchi (who had replaced Valdes in 71'). The Bergamaschi made two more changes in the last ten minutes, Federico Peluso (Lazio fan) for Garics and Fabio Caserta for Doni and piled on more pressure but Lazio held on. Full time Lazio 1 Atalanta 0.
An unspectacular but important win on their league debut for Lazio. A hard fought three points against Atalanta who were solid but lacked serious threat up front.
Who played for Lazio
Muslera, Lichtsteiner, Cribari, Kolarov, Siviglia, Brocchi, Baronio (58' Dabo), Foggia (63' Matuzalem), Mauri, Zarate, Rocchi (79' Cruz)
Manager: Ballardini
Who played for Atalanta
Consigli, Garics (84' Peluso), Bianco, T. Manfredini, Bellini, Padoin, Barreto, Guarente, Valdes (71' Tiribocchi), Doni (84' Caserta), Acquafresca
Substitutes: Coppola, Talamonti, N. Madonna, Radovanovic
Manager: Gregucci
Referee: Pierpaoli
Goals: 22' Rocchi
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