Lazio's attacking duo gives Biancocelesti lifeline for survival
Two first half goals by Rocchi and Floccari give Lazio desperately needed three points in Sardinia
Also on this day: March 21, 1976, Lazio Ascoli 3-1. Lazio beat relegation rivals to lift hopes of staying up. Player of the day: Avelino Moriggi
The season so far
The previous season had been Delio Rossi's last and ended on a triumphal note winning the Coppa Italia.
This year Lazio had chosen Davide Ballardini as their new manager. With the change in the dug out there came several changes to the squad. In the summer Lazio had brought in goalkeeper Albano Bizzarri, defender and future Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni (Mallorca- back from loan), midfielders Roberto Baronio (Brescia- back from loan) and Eliseu (Malaga) plus striker Julio Cruz (Inter).
In the winter, two good defenders had been signed, Giuseppe Biava (Genoa) and André Dias (São Paulo) alongside midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger (Stuttgart) and striker Sergio Floccari (Genoa).
In the summer obviously some players had also left. Hugely disappointing goalkeeper Juan Pablo Carrizzo (who had been welcomed as the new messiah) went to Saragozza on loan. Homegrown talent and Lazio fan, Lorenzo De Silvestri went to Fiorentina while versatile Luciano Zauri and striker Libor Kozak were loaned to Sampdoria and Brescia.
Out of contract Goran Pandev, after some fine years and final controversies, went to Inter. In the January winter session defender Emílson Cribari headed to Siena on loan while Eliseu, after a poor few months, was sent to Saragozza on loan.
Lazio's season had started in a dreamlike fashion. On August 8 in Beijing, the Biancocelesti had defeated José Mourinho's "Triplete" 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.
Serie A had also started well ... for 2 matches. Lazio beat Atalanta and Chievo but then failed to win another match until December 13 (Genoa 1-0). Things had got so bad that Ballardini was sacked in February after a home defeat by Catania. In came veteran Edy Reja and Lazio won the first match 2-0 away at Parma but then had only got one point in the last 4 games. 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.
In the Europa League things had not gone much better. After knocking out Swedish Elfsborg in the play-off (3-0, 0-1) Lazio had been eliminated in the group stage with Villareal (Spain- 2-1, 1-4), Salzburg (Austria- 1-2, 1-2) and Levski Sofia (Bulgaria- 4-0, 0-1). In the Coppa Italia Lazio were eliminated 3-2 away by Fiorentina.
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 Sardinian Rossoblu were managed by Massimiliano Allegri who would later win titles with Milan and Juventus. The previous season, Cagliari had finished 9th.
They had made a few changes in the summer. Arriving on the island were: goalkeeper Michael Agazzi (Triestina), midfielders Simone Barone (Torino) and Daniele Dessena (Samp-loan) plus two strikers, wonderfully evocatively named Nené (Nacional) unfortunately not in the former Cagliari legend's mould and Joaquin Larrivey (Vélez Sarsfield-loan). In the winter midfielder Radja Nainggolan had been added from Piacenza.
Leaving "Casteddu" (Cagliari in Sardinian) were defenders Paolo Bianco (Atalanta) and Carlos Matheu (Independiente), midfielder Marco Mancosu (Empoli) and Italo-Polish striker Robert Acquafresca (Inter-end of loan).
There were some players of interest on Cagliari's books, in a Roman perspective anyway, future Lazio Federico Marchetti and Alessandro Matri, plus future Roma Radja Nainggolan. There was also Davide Conti, the son of the former Roma and Italy legend Bruno.
This year Cagliari had got off to a terrible start and got only 1 point in the first 4 matches. They, however, then improved and were currently in 9th position not far from the UEFA slots. The "Isolani" had won 11, drawn 6 and lost 11, so on 39 points. To give Lazio some hope they had only earned 1 point in the last 3 matches and lost 5-3 away at Genoa a week before today's fixture.
The match: Sunday, March 21, 2010, Stadio Sant'Elia, Cagliari
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 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 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 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 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. I personally was in Wales for the weekend (following other passions Wales rugby and Cardiff City) and I can rarely remember being so pleasantly surprised when the result came through (being informed by a Romanista friend made it even sweeter).
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
Substitutes: Berni, Baronio, Hitzlsperger, Makinwa
Manager: Reja
Referee: Celi
Goals: 4' Rocchi, 37' Floccari
What happened next
Lazio finished the season strongly. Three days later they defeated Siena 2-0 and then drew 1-1 away at Milan. After the Cagliari game they won 5, drew 2 and lost 2.
One defeat came at home against Inter. The Nerazzurri were fighting for the scudetto with Roma and, as Lazio were by then virtually safe, many fans hoped Inter would win to prevent their most hated rivals from winning the title. There was a lot of controversy before and after about Lazio throwing the game. Inter were vastly superior anyway and they did win 2-0. The game will also be remembered for the banner displayed in the Curva Nord after Inter's goals, "OH NOOO". Roma then threw away the scudetto by losing at home to Sampdoria.
So Lazio surprisingly finished 12th after looking as if they could be relegated for much of the season. A season with a trophy too, which as we know do not grow on trees in Rome, either side of the Tiber. With 11 wins, 13 draws and 14 defeats Lazio ended up on 46 points. Top scorers were Rocchi with 10 in total and Floccari with 8 in Serie A.
Cagliari continued to fade and would not win another game all season, their European dream obviously fizzling out. They ended up behind Lazio (they were 13 points ahead before today) in 16th position. The manager Max Allegri was sacked after 33 games and replaced by Giorgio Mellis. With 11 wins, 11 draws and 16 defeats Cagliari finished on 44 points. Their top scorer was Alessandro Matri with 13 league goals.
Inter won the scudetto two points ahead of Roma for their 18th title. The three teams Lazio were pleased not to join on the journey down were Atalanta, Siena and Livorno.
Lazio 2009-10
Competition | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals scored |
Serie A | 38 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 39 |
Coppa Italia | 2 | 1 | - | 1 | 4 |
Europa League | 8 | 3 | - | 5 | 12 |
Super Coppa | 1 | 1 | - | - | 2 |
Total | 49 | 16 | 13 | 20 | 57 |
Top five appearances
Player | Total | Serie A | Coppa Italia | Europa League | Super Coppa |
Lichtsteiner | 43 | 33 | 2 | 7 | 1 |
Mauri | 43 | 34 | 2 | 6 | 1 |
Muslera | 42 | 36 | 2 | 3 | 1 |
Kolarov | 41 | 33 | 2 | 5 | 1 |
Zarate | 41 | 31 | 2 | 7 | 1 |
Top five goal scorers
Player | Total | Serie A | Coppa Italia | Europa League | Super Coppa |
Rocchi | 10 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
Floccari | 9 | 8 | 1 | - | - |
Zarate | 8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | - |
Kolarov | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | - |
Mauri | 4 | 3 | - | 1 | - |
Cruz | 4 | 3 | - | 1 | - |
Let's talk about André Dias
André Gonçalves Dias was born in São Bernardo do Campo (São Paulo), May 15, 1979.
He started his football in local Palestra de São Bernardo. From there he joined his first professional club in 1998 when he moved to Paraná in Série A. He stayed with the Tricolor da Vila for three years making 44 appearances with 2 goals.
In 2002 he moved to glorious Flamengo in Rio de Janeiro but only for one year and played 11 times.
In 2003 he joined Paysandu. He played 32 times with 1 goal for Papão de Curuzu (Bogeyman of Curuzu) and then moved on.
In 2004 he signed for Goiás. He stayed two years with Verdăo (Big Green) playing 89 games with 4 goals.
In 2006 came his big break and he joined São Paulo. He became a regular in the centre of the Paulista defence and even became captain. He played four successful seasons with the O Clube da Fé (The faith Team). He made 136 appearances, scored 11 goals and won three consecutive Brazilian titles (2006-2008). In 2008 and 2009 he was included in the best league XI by Bola de Prata magazine. In 2009 he was voted Best Brazilian player of the season.
On February 1 2010 he began a European experience and joined Lazio. The Biancocelesti paid 2.5 million Euros and he signed a contract until 2013.
In his first four months in Rome he played 12 league games and scored 2 goals (Bologna, Genoa). Lazio finished 12th under Edy Reja (who took over from Ballardini on February 10) and Dias showed promise.
In fact, the next season Dias became the undisputed first choice centre- back and played 33 league games with 2 goals (Palermo, Napoli) and 1 game in Coppa Italia. Dias and Giuseppe Biava formed an excellent and reliable partnership in the middle and Lazio finished 5th.
In the 2011-12 season he played 23 league games,1 in Coppa Italia and 7 in the Europa League. Lazio had a good season finishing 4th and won both derbies.
The following season was not great in the league with a 7th position under new manager Vladimir Petkovic. Lazio and Dias however got the ultimate satisfaction in the Coppa Italia when they beat city rivals Roma 1-0 in the final. Dias made 27 league appearances, 1 in Coppa Italia and 6 in the Europa League.
The 2013-14 season would be his last for Lazio. The Biancocelesti had a difficult year, replacing Petkovic with Reja after 17 games and finished 9th. Dias made 16 Serie A appearances with 1 goal (Sassuolo), 2 in Coppa Italia and 1 in the Super Coppa final (lost 4-0 to Juventus).
At 35 Dias decided to retire from football. He had played 443 professional games and scored 26 goals. In 2009 he had also got a call up by Carlos Dunga's Brazil for a world cup qualifier versus Chile but Dias was an unused sub.
At Lazio Dias played 131 games (111 in Serie A). He will be remembered as a quality defender, one of the best in recent history. At 1.84 for 80 kilos he was extremely strong and had an excellent sense of position. He was not particularly quick but had good timing and was a solid tackler. He commanded the defence with authority and paired up well with Biava in particular but also Radu. A leader of Lazio's defence for four years and although he didn't play that particular game, he will forever be part of the 2013 Cup Final glory squad who conquered Rome on May 26.
Lazio Career
Season | Total appearances (goals) | Serie A | Coppa Italia | Europa League | Super Coppa |
Jan-Jun 2010 | 12 (2) | 12 (2) | - | - | - |
2010-11 | 34 (2) | 33 (2) | 1 | - | - |
2011-12 | 32 (1) | 23 | 2 (1) | 7 | - |
2012-13 | 34 | 27 | 1 | 6 | - |
2013-14 | 19 (1) | 16 (1) | 2 | - | 1 |
Total | 131 (6) | 111 (5) | 6 (1) | 13 | 1 |
Sources
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