Di Canio Show
A marvellous Di Canio goal paves the way for a Lazio victory
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The season so far
After a difficult first season under President Claudio Lotito, things began to be a little more organised in the 2005-06 season. A new experienced manager was chosen, Delio Rossi, and some interesting players were brought in: Valon Behrami, Guglielmo Stendardo and Gaby Mudingayi, all players that had done very well in Serie B the previous season. The Biancocelesti said goodbye to Roberto Muzzi, Paolo Negro, Giuliano Giannichedda and Fernando Couto plus many of the players bought at the last minute the previous year.
The Lazio official season started in mid-July with the Intertoto Cup. Lazio managed to participate because Messina were not interested in participating. Lazio easily dismissed Tampere United in the quarterfinals but fell to Olympique Marseilles in the semis.
Lazio had European ambitions and their start in Serie A was a good one with four wins in the first seven games. Very strong at home but away from home they were unable to switch their defensive mentality to a more attacking one. This meant that Lazio suffered away from home and against the big teams and when things were not working team-wise, there was trouble.
After the first half of the season Lazio were eighth but the signing of Stefano Mauri in January was able to give the team what they needed on the left and also some extra inventiveness. 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: Sunday, March 12, 2006, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
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
Manager: Rossi
Who played for Reggina
Pelizzoli, Franceschini, De Rosa, A. Lucarelli, Mesto, Paredes, Tedesco (58' Missiroli), Vigiani, Modesto (46' Lanzaro), Cozza (60' Choutos), Amoruso
Substitutes: Saviano, Giosa, Carobbio, Biondini
Manager: Mazzarri
Referee: Stefanini
Goals: 25’ Di Canio, 36’ Rocchi, 68’ Pandev, 69’ Amoruso
What happened next
This consistency in the second half of the season brought with it a place in the UEFA Cup, secured with two games to go. Unfortunately, Lazio were penalised 30 points for their “alleged” involvement in the Calciopoli scandal, so missed out on Europe in the end.
Zauri was the player with most appearances (45 including Coppa Italia and Intertoto) and Rocchi was the leading goal scorer (17).
What happened in Serie A 2005-06
The previous scudetto was won by Juventus (later revoked due to Calciopoli) with a seven-point lead over Milan. Third place was taken by Inter and fourth by outsiders Udinese. At the end of the first half of the season Juve had a two-point lead over Milan which increased to eight just a couple of games later but the Rossoneri caught up and by the 25th fixture they were both on 54 points. Five matches later they were still tied. In the next two, first Milan lost at Siena and then Juve were defeated at home by Inter. With four games to the end of the season they were still hand in hand but then there was the big clash between them at San Siro which the Bianconeri won. The Rossoneri basically threw in the towel and Juve were champion two games later.
In the summer transfer window, Juventus signed Patrick Viera, Milan got Alberto Gilardino and Christian Vieri, Inter acquired the services of Julio Cesar, Walter Samuel and Luis Figo, Fiorentina signed Luca Toni.
Juve were the obvious favourites with Milan and Inter quite a way behind.
July, August & September
Lazio participated in the Intertoto between July and early August but were eliminated in the second round by Olympique Marseille.
In the Supercoppa final, Inter beat Juventus in Turin with a goal from Juan Sebastian Veron.
The first five games of Serie A saw Juventus win all of them and take the lead. Surprisingly, Livorno started very well and were solitary third.
In August there were the qualifying rounds for the Champions League group phase. Both Inter and Udinese qualified after beating Shakhtar Donetsk 3-1 on aggregate and Sporting Lisbon 4-2.
In the first two games of the group stage in September Juventus won against Club Brugge and Rapid Wien, Udinese beat Panathinaikos but lost in Barcelona, Milan defeated Fenerbahçe and drew with Schalke 04 and Inter won against Artmedia Bratislava and Rangers.
In September there was the first round of the UEFA Cup which led to the group phase. Roma, Sampdoria and Palermo all qualified beating Aris, Vitoria Setubal and Anorthosis Famagusta.
The Coppa Italia early rounds were played in August at the end of which Parma, Cittadella, Cagliari, Atalanta, Brescia, Bari, Napoli and Fiorentina qualified for the round of 16 where they would meet the bigger Serie A clubs.
Juventus 15, Inter 12, Livorno 11, Milan 10, Fiorentina 10, Lazio 10, Palermo 10, Sampdoria 9, Chievo 9, Roma 8, Siena 7, Empoli 6, Udinese 6, Parma 4, Messina 3, Cagliari 3, Ascoli 3, Reggina 3, Lecce 1, Treviso 0
October
Juventus' winning run continued for another four games until it was interrupted by Milan. In the meantime, they had beaten Inter and the Nerazzurri also lost at home to Roma. The Rome derby ended in a draw.
In the third game of the Champions League group phase, Juve lost away to Bayern Munich, Udinese drew with Werder Bremen, Milan with PSV Eindhoven and Inter lost in Porto.
As far as the standings were concerned Milan and Inter topped their groups, Juventus and Udinese were second.
In the first game of the UEFA Cup group phase, Palermo beat Maccabi Petah Tikva, Sampdoria rested and Roma won away at Tromso in Norway.
Juventus 27, Milan 25, Fiorentina 22, Inter 19, Livorno 18, Palermo 16, Chievo 16, Roma 15, Lazio 15, Sampdoria 14, Udinese 14, Siena 14, Empoli 14, Ascoli 11, Reggina 9, Messina 8, Parma 6, Treviso 5, Cagliari 4, Lecce 4
November
Juve extended their lead after winning in Rome against Roma and Milan losing in Florence. Below, a bunch of teams in serious trouble.
In the Champions League, Juventus beat both Bayern Munich and Club Brugge hence qualifying for the knockout phase. The final game would determine who would come first between Juventus and Bayern. Udinese lost against Werder Bremen but beat Panathinaikos. They were second with a two-point lead over the Germans but they now had to face Barcelona. Milan lost to PSV Eindhoven but beat Fenerbahçe. Milan and Schalke were on 8 points, PSV on 7. All would be decided in the last game when Milan faced the Germans. Inter, after beating Porto and Artmedia Bratislava won their group with a game to spare.
In the UEFA Cup, Roma rested for game two and drew at home with Strasbourg, Sampdoria drew with Steaua Bucuresti and Hertha but won against Halmstads, Palermo drew with both Lokomotiv Moscow and Espanyol.
As far as the standings were concerned, Palermo were second with Espanyol but Lokomotiv had finished their games. Sampdoria were in trouble since in their group Steaua was first on 7, Hertha Berlin and Doria 5, Lens 4. To qualify they needed at least a draw in their last game with Lens. Roma needed to beat Basel in their final game to qualify.
Three Coppa Italia games were played for the Round of 16 first leg. Milan beat Brescia 3-1, Atalanta won 1-0 at home with Udinese and Inter won in Parma 1-0.
Juventus 36, Milan 31, Fiorentina 29, Inter 26, Livorno 22, Chievo 21, Sampdoria 20, Udinese 20, Roma 19, Lazio 19, Palermo 18, Empoli 17, Siena 15, Ascoli 13, Reggina 13, Parma 9, Messina 8, Cagliari 8, Treviso 7, Lecce 7
December
Inter won the derby and overtook Milan in second place. The gap with Juventus was considerable at this point and it looked as if the scudetto was already on its way to Turin.
Juventus beat Rapid Wien away in the Champions league to win their group. Milan also won their group after beating Schalke 04. Udinese lost at home to Barcelona, came third and were demoted to the UEFA Cup. Inter drew with Rangers but they were already certain of topping their group.
Roma and Palermo qualified for the UEFA Cup knockout stage after having beaten Basel and Brondby. Sampdoria lost against Lens and were eliminated.
The other five first leg Round of 16 Coppa Italia games were played. Roma (away) and Lazio (at home) comfortably beat Napoli and Cittadella, the other games (Fiorentina-Juve, Bari-Palermo and Cagliari-Sampdoria) ended in draws.
Juventus 46, Inter 38, Milan 37, Fiorentina 36, Livorno 31, Chievo 27, Sampdoria 25, Roma 24, Lazio 24, Udinese 23, Palermo 22, Siena 19, Empoli 18, Reggina 18, Ascoli 17, Parma 14, Messina 13, Cagliari 12, Lecce 12, Treviso 11
January
Juventus continued to have an eight-point lead over Inter with Milan losing ground a little. Fiorentina and Livorno were still doing well. Below, Treviso and Lecce seemed to already have one foot in Serie B while the others from Palermo downward were involved in a long fight for survival.
Milan, Udinese, Inter, Juventus, Palermo, Lazio, Roma and Sampdoria qualified for the quarter finals of the Coppa Italia. In the first leg, Milan beat Palermo 1-0, Roma won 3-2 away at Juventus, Lazio-Inter and Udinese-Sampdoria ended 1-1.
Juventus 59, Inter 51, Milan 47, Fiorentina 44, Roma 39, Livorno 37, Chievo 34, Lazio 33, Sampdoria 32, Palermo 26, Udinese 26, Siena 24, Ascoli 23, Reggina 22, Messina 21, Parma 21, Cagliari 19, Empoli 19, Treviso 13, Lecce 13
February
Milan back in second place after Inter lost at home to Juve who now had a 10-point lead. Roma won the derby and moved to fourth place, followed closely by Fiorentina.
In the first leg of the Champions League round of 16, Milan drew 1-1 in Munich against Bayern, Juventus lost 3-2 away to Werder Bremen and Inter drew with Ajax 1-1.
In the UEFA Cup round of 32, Roma, Palermo and Udinese all qualified after beating Club Brugge (4-2 on aggregate), Slavia Prague (on away goals) and Lens (3-1).
In the second leg of the Coppa Italia quarter finals, Inter beat Lazio 1-0, Sampdoria and Udinese drew 2-2 so it was the Bianconeri who would play the Nerazzurri in the semis. Palermo destroyed Milan 3-0 and would play Roma who lost at home to Juve but qualified thanks to the away goals.
Juventus 70, Milan 60, Inter 58, Roma 54, Fiorentina 53, Livorno 44, Chievo 40, Lazio 38, Sampdoria 37, Palermo 34, Ascoli 32, Siena 32, Reggina 28, Udinese 27, Parma 26, Cagliari 24, Messina 24, Empoli 23, Treviso 15, Lecce 15
March
With seven games to the end of the season, Juve continued to have a massive lead over Milan with Inter a little further behind. Roma fought with Fiorentina for the last Champions League place whereas Chievo, Lazio, Livorno and Palermo were battling for the remaining two UEFA Cup positions. Lots of teams involved in the fight to stay in Serie A. “Favourites” to join Lecce and Treviso in Serie B were for the moment Messina or Udinese.
All three Italian teams qualified for the quarter finals of the champions league. Juve beat Werder Bremen 2-1 and went through on away goals, Milan thrashed Bayern Munich 4-1 and Inter beat Ajax 1-0.
In the first leg of the quarters Juve lost 2-0 to Arsenal, Milan drew in Lyon and Inter beat Villareal at home 2-1.
All three Italian teams in the UEFA Cup were eliminated in the Round of 16. Palermo lost 3-1 on aggregate against Schalke 04, Udinese lost 2-1 against Levski Sofia and Roma were eliminated by Middlesbrough on away goals.
In the first leg of the semi-finals of Coppa Italia, Inter beat Udinese 1-0 and Roma lost 2-1 in Palermo.
Juventus 78, Milan 70, Inter 65, Fiorentina 60, Roma 59, Chievo 45, Lazio 45, Livorno 44, Palermo 43, Parma 38, Sampdoria 37, Ascoli 37, Siena 35, Reggina 34, Empoli 32, Cagliari 31, Udinese 29, Messina 28, Lecce 21, Treviso 15
April
Just when the scudetto issue seemed over, Juventus drew four times in a row and Milan, who won the derby, found themselves only three points away with two games to the end of the season. Fiorentina edged forward for the last Champions League spot, with Roma, Lazio and Chievo qualified for the UEFA Cup. Messina got the third relegation spot.
Of the Italian teams only Milan reached the semi-finals of the Champions League after overcoming Lyon 3-1 at home. Inter lost 1-0 with Villareal and Juve drew 0-0 with Arsenal.
Milan however were then eliminated in the semis 1-0 on aggregate by Barcelona (eventual winners).
Roma and Inter qualified for the Coppa Italia final eliminating Udinese (3-2 on aggregate) and Palermo (on away goals).
Juventus 85, Milan 82, Inter 74, Fiorentina 68, Roma 66, Lazio 56, Chievo 53, Palermo 49, Livorno 47, Parma 45, Empoli 42, Reggina 41, Sampdoria 40, Ascoli 40, Udinese 40, Cagliari 38, Siena 37, Messina 31, Lecce 25, Treviso 18
May
Juventus won the last two games securing victory of the scudetto.
This should have been the final table:
Juventus 91, Milan 88, Inter 76, Fiorentina 74, Roma 69, Lazio 62, Chievo 54, Palermo 52, Livorno 49, Parma 45, Empoli 45, Ascoli 43, Udinese 43, Sampdoria 41, Reggina 41, Cagliari 39, Siena 39, Messina 31, Lecce 29, Treviso 21
But then the Calciopoli scandal exploded and everything was put on hold. By the end of the proceedings, Juventus were placed in the last position in the table, Milan, Lazio and Fiorentina got a 30-point docking. This changed everything. Inter were awarded the scudetto and were joined by Roma, Milan and Chievo in the Champions League. Palermo, Livorno and Parma qualified for the UEFA Cup, Lecce, Treviso and Juventus were relegated, Atalanta, Catania and Torino promoted.
Luca Toni was the top goal scorer with 31 goals.
Inter won the Coppa Italia beating Roma 4-2 on aggregate.
Final Table: Inter 76, Roma 69, Milan 58, Chievo 54, Palermo 52, Livorno 49, Parma 45, Empoli 45, Fiorentina 44, Ascoli 43, Udinese 43, Sampdoria 41, Reggina 41, Cagliari 39, Siena 39, Lazio 32, Messina 31, Lecce 29, Treviso 21, Juventus 91
Sources
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