Lazio Reggina 3-1

Season 2005-06

Game 29, Serie A

Sunday, March 12, 2006

Stadio Olimpico, Rome

Lazio Reggina 3-1

A marvellous Di Canio goal paves the way for a Lazio victory

After the first half of the season Lazio were eighth. In the second part of the campionato they had lost just two games and were currently eighth, just two points away from a UEFA Cup qualification.

The match

The Olimpico was practically empty as the fans were on strike against president Claudio Lotito, “guilty” of not hearing out the possible takeover by a mysterious group headed by Giorgio Chinaglia.

The match opened with a few half chances but the first real opportunity arrived in the 13th minute when Paolo Di Canio tried a shot from outside the box which shaved the post. Twelve minutes later Lazio scored. A very fast exchange between Luciano Zauri, Fabio Liverani and Tommaso Rocchi allowed the forward to pass to Di Canio who with an incredible left footed lob beat the keeper. A remarkable goal.

Reggina, who had managed to hold the fort until then, collapsed and the Biancocelesti did what they wanted. In the 30th minute Stefano Mauri in the box to Rocchi on the left but he angled too much and it went wide. In the 36th minute Goran Pandev tried a shot from just outside the box on the right, there was a deflection, ball in the air on the other side of the penalty area, Di Canio tried to stop it but it became a pass for Rocchi who volleyed the ball into the net.

At this point the Calabrians did try to do something and Nicola Amoruso shot from a favourable position but Angelo Peruzzi parried into corner. The first half ended with a fantastic Liverani free kick which hit the crossbar.

In the 58th minute corner for Lazio. The ball was cleared by the Calabrian defence, Ousmane Dabo tried a volley from outside the box which deserved better luck. Ten minutes later Pandev tried a shot from 25 metres, great save from Ivan Pelizzoli. From the subsequent corner, ball to the Macedonian who did not miss from close range. Lazio 3 Reggina 0.

A minute later, Giandomenico Mesto crossed from the right, Amoruso all one in the box easily headed the ball past Peruzzi. But it was too little too late.

Who played for Lazio

Peruzzi, Oddo, Siviglia, Cribari, Zauri, Pandev, Dabo (79’ Mudingayi), Liverani, Mauri (90’ Manfredini), Di Canio (68’ Belleri), Rocchi