Lazio win with minimum effort
Lazio beat a lacklustre Livorno with a solitary Pandev goal despite playing the last twenty minutes in ten men
The season so far
Lazio finished an excellent 3rd the previous season under , despite a three-point handicap due to Calciopoli and qualified for a Champions League preliminary. Lazio's best result was thrashing Roma 3-0. Top scorer was Tommaso Rocchi with 19 goals (16 in league).
This season Manager Delio Rossi had been confirmed and there had been no major upheavals to the squad. The main signing, Argentine goalkeeper Juan Pablo Carrizo, would have to remain at River Plate for another year due to bureaucratic problems. Another South-American keeper had been brought in to fill the gap, with Uruguayan Fernando Muslera from Nacional Montevideo. Other new entries were defenders Aleksandar Kolarov (OFK Belgrade) and Lionel Scaloni (Racing Santander), midfielders Simone Del Nero (Brescia), Mourad Meghni (Bologna). Considering Lazio would hopefully play Champions League football the fans were not happy.
Sadly, goalkeeper Angelo Peruzzi was retiring after a fantastic career. Fellow keeper Matteo Sereni was also leaving (Torino). Heading off were also midfielders Pasquale Foggia (Cagliari - on loan) and Luís Jimenez (Ternana - end of loan) and striker Simone Inzaghi (Atalanta - on loan).
Lazio's season had started off well getting into the Champions League proper (Dinamo Bucharest 1-1, 3-1). Lazio had then played two games in the group stage and drawn both (Olympiakos 1-1 away and Real Madrid 2-2 at home). Next up were Werder Bremen away on October 24.
In Serie A Lazio were struggling. They drew the first three, lost at Bergamo and then got their first win after five matches (Cagliari 3-1). Their most recent match was a 1-5 home drubbing by Milan. After 7 games the Biancocelesti had 7 points and were in joint 13th place with Torino and Cagliari.
Livorno had finished 11th the previous season. The manager was an alternation between Daniele Arrigoni (1-21, 23-29) and former Lazio keeper Fernando Orsi (22, 30-38). The Amaranto also reached the round of 32 of the UEFA Cup (Espanyol 1-4). Top scorer was Cristiano Lucarelli with 25 goals (20 in A).
This season the manager was initially Orsi but he had been sacked a week earlier and replaced by another former Lazio player, Giancarlo Camolese. The squad had plenty of additions: former Lazio midfielder Emanuele Filippini (Bologna), Martin Bergvold (F.C Copenhagen), Massimo Loviso (Sambenedettese), Giuliano Gianni (Juventus), Nico Pulzetti (Verona), Edgar Álvarez (Roma - on loan), Daniele De Vezze (Messina) plus forwards Francesco Tavano (Roma), Fausto Rossini (Catania), Diego Tristán (Mallorca), Alessandro Diamanti (Prato), Francesco Volpe (Ravenna) and Erjon Bogdan. So, no shortage of new players.
Leaving were keeper Emanuele Manitta (Messina), defender Samuel Kuffour (Roma - end of loan), midfielders Stefano Morrone (Parma), Marc Pfertzel (Bochum), Stefano Fiore (Mantova), Carmine Coppola (Messina - end of loan), Dario Passoni (Mantova) plus forward Paulinho (Grosseto - on loan).
So far, the "Triglie" (Mullets) only had 2 points after two draws (Genoa 1-1 away and Inter 2-2 at home) and five defeats. They were bottom of the table.
Lazio were favourites today but Livorno had a new manager and that often brought renewed enthusiasm albeit sometimes for a brief period before returning to old habits.
The match: Sunday, December 23, 2007, Stadio Renzo Barbera, Palermo
A sunny day in Leghorn but with a strong wind, the famous south-westerly "Libeccio" which often blows on the Tuscan port city. There were less than 10,000 spectators in the Ardenza area near the Naval Academy. The name Leghorn curiously derives from a type of Tuscan chicken which used to be shipped from Livorno to the USA and GB.
Livorno had more or less a full squad to choose from while Lazio were without defender Emílson Cribari plus midfielders Gaby Mudingayi and Cristian Ledesma.
The game started with the hosts extremely timid and cautious. Lazio at least had a few attacks: in the 3rd minute Tommaso Rocchi had a header go high, in the 9th a Robero Baronio effort was deflected into corner and in the 23rd minute Stefano Mauri spun round in the area but his shot was too tame and central. In doing so however, he suffered a muscular problem and three minutes later was forced off and replaced by Mourad Meghni.
Lazio had another shot in the 28th minute but Massimo Mutarelli's attempt was just wide. All Livorno mustered were a couple of scrambles in the area but never managed an actual shot on target.
In the 40th minute Livorno made a substitution too, one former Lazio for another as Emanuele Filippini came on for Giuliano Giannichedda.
Just as a pretty boring first half was coming to an end Lazio scored. Goran Pandev combined with Tommaso Rocchi at the edge of the box and the Macedonian then let off a low shot which took a light but crucial deflection off Rahman Rezaei and beat Marco Amelia. Livorno 0 Lazio 1.
All in all, a deserved lead for Lazio who had at least tried to create something.
Not much changed in the second half. In the 52nd minute Pandev caused havoc in the Livorno box but could not get a shot in.
In the 56th minute the hosts put on talented Alessandro Diamanti for Edgar Álvarez.
Two minutes later, however, it was Lazio who went close to doubling their lead. Baronio curled an excellent freekick towards the right top hand corner but Amelia got there with the tip of his fingers.
Another substitution for the Amaranto in the 65th minute, role for role, Albanian forward Erjon Bogdani for Fausto Rossini.
In the 69th came a potential game changer when Lazio’s Fabio Firmani received a second yellow for a late tackle and was off.
One then expected a surge forward by Livorno but for now nothing changed. It was Lazio who almost scored again but Amelia did well to deny Pandev.
In the 73rd minute Lazio put on a more defensively competent midfielder, Christian Manfredini for Meghni and in the 83rd replaced a tired Rocchi with Stephen Makinwa.
It was in the last ten minutes that Livorno finally stirred. They finally had a shot on target in the 36th minute with Nico Pulzetti but Marco Ballotta was safe, in the 37th Diamanti hit the side netting and in the 39th Ballotta flew off his line to palm away a shot-cum cross by Giovanni Pasquale.
It was too little too late and Lazio came away with the three points. Livorno 0 Lazio 1.
Lazio had not been brilliant but had done enough to leave the field deserved winners against a poor Livorno.
It looked like it would need a minor miracle for this afternoon's Livorno to avoid relegation. The local fans certainly thought so as the protests mounted in the home side's Curva Nord, directed mainly at owner Aldo Spinelli.
Who played for Livorno
Amelia, Rezaei, Grandoni, Galante, Alvarez (56' Diamanti), Pulzetti, Giannichedda (40' E. Filippini), Loviso, Pasquale, Tavano, Rossini (65' Bogdani)
Substitutes: De Lucia, Knezevic, Pavan, Dhorasoo
Manager: Camolese
Who played for Lazio
Ballotta, Stendardo, Zauri, Siviglia, Firmani, Mutarelli, Baronio, Behrami, Mauri (26' Meghni, 76' Manfredini), Rocchi (83' Makinwa), Pandev
Manager: D. Rossi
Referee: Celi
Goal: 49' Pandev
Red Card: 69' Firmani (L)
What happened next
Lazio lost the next four consecutive games (including the first derby) and ended up having a mediocre season, finishing 12th. The highlight was beating Roma 3-2 in the second derby with a 92nd minute Valon Behrami winner. Top scorer was Goran Pandev with 19 goals (14 in A like Tommaso Rocchi).
Lazio's season was sadly marked by tragedy on November 11. On an away trip to Inter a Lazio fan, 26-year-old Gabriele Sandri, was shot to death by a policeman. The lethal bullet had been fired from a distance of about 50 metres while Sandri was asleep in the back of a car in a motorway cafe car park in Tuscany (Gabriele was a well-known DJ in the capital). It later transpired the police thought there was a robbery going on or fighting. The Inter-Lazio game was called off and there were fan revolts all over Italy in protest about the tragedy. The policeman, Luigi Spaccarotella, would later be condemned for wilful homicide.
In the Champions League Lazio then won one (Werder Bremen 2-1 at home) and lost three (Werder Bremen 1-2 away, Olympiakos 1-2 at home and Real Madrid 1-3 away) and were eliminated. In January, Lazio strengthened the squad with defenders Stefan Radu (Dinamo Bucharest), David Rozehnal (Newcastle United), midfielder Ousmane Dabo (back from Manchester City) and forward Rolando Bianchi (Manchester City - on loan) but this should have been done before the European campaign not after.
In Coppa Italia the Biancocelesti reached the semi-finals after eliminating Napoli and Fiorentina but then lost 0-2 to Inter on aggregate.
All in all, a disappointing season bar the excitement of playing Real Madrid and winning a last gasp derby.
Livorno did not improve and were relegated in 20th place. The Amaranto called back Orsi after the 35th fixture but it was obviously late. Livorno ended up with 6 wins,12 draws and 20 defeats (including Lazio 0-2 in Rome). Top scorer was Tavano with 10 league goals.
In Coppa Italia the Labronici were eliminated in the 3rd round by Napoli on penalties, after a 1-1 away draw.
The Scudetto was won by Inter for the 16th time, ahead of Roma by three points (that Behrami winner became even sweeter). Livorno trudged down to Serie B with Parma and Empoli.
Lazio 2007-08
Competition | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals scored |
Serie A | 38 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 47 |
Coppa Italia | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 7 |
Champions League | 8 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 12 |
Total | 52 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 66 |
Top five appearances
Player | Total | Serie A | Coppa Italia | Champions League |
Rocchi | 48 | 36 | 4 | 8 |
Pandev | 44 | 32 | 5 | 7 |
Ledesma | 43 | 32 | 4 | 7 |
Cribari | 42 | 31 | 5 | 6 |
Ballotta | 39 | 29 | 2 | 8 |
Top goal scorers
Player | Total | Serie A | Coppa Italia | Champions League |
Rocchi | 19 | 14 | 1 | 4 |
Pandev | 19 | 14 | - | 5 |
Bianchi | 4 | 4 | - | - |
Let's talk about Stephen Makinwa
Stephen Makinwa was born in Lagos, Nigeria, on July 26, 1983. In 2012 he obtained Italian citizenship too.
His first team as a youngster in his homeland was Ebedei but at 17 he arrived in Europe and joined Reggiana's youth setup.
In 2000-01 he spent a season at Conegliano (Treviso and also Del Piero's hometown)) on loan in Eccellenza (5th tier). He played 8 league games with 2 goals.
In 2001-02 he joined Como in Serie B but did not play at all.
In 2002-03 he returned to Reggio Emilia. Reggiana were in Serie C1 and finished 12th, under manager Adriano Cadregari. Makinwa played 29 league games with 6 goals.
In 2003 he started with Genoa in Serie B but, before playing, left in January and joined Como, again on loan in Serie B. The Lariani were relegated under former Lazio, Eugenio Fascetti and then Roberto Galia. Makinwa played 21 league games with 6 goals.
In January 2004 he moved to Modena on loan in Serie A. The manager was first Alberto Malesani and then Gianfranco Bellotto. Makinwa played 17 league games with 1 goal (Inter) and Modena finished 16th and relegated.
In 2004 he returned to Genoa in Serie B. The manager was Serse Cosmi and Makinwa stayed until January, playing 18 league games with 6 goals before leaving for Atalanta. Genoa ended up relegated to C1 for corruption (they had finished 1st).
He stayed six months in Bergamo. The manager was Delio Rossi and Atalanta finished 20th and relegated to Serie B. Makinwa played 17 league games with 6 goals (Lazio, Bologna, Cagliari, Milan, Sampdoria, Chievo).
In 2005-06 he played for Palermo, first under Luigi Del Neri and then former Lazio Giuseppe Papadopulo. The Rosanero finished 5th (UEFA Cup) and Makinwa played 23 league games with 5 goals (Inter, Siena, Empoli, Cagliari, Treviso). His teammates included Lazio connections, Giuseppe Biava (2010-14) and Massimo Bonanni (2006).
In 2006 he joined Lazio. The manager was Delio Rossi and Lazio had an excellent season finishing 3rd (Champions League). Makinwa played 25 league games with 3 goals (Milan, Messina, Reggina).
In 2007-08 he stayed on but only until January. He played 14 league games, 1 in Coppa Italia and 4 in the Champions League. Lazio finished 12th.
In January 2008 he joined Reggina on loan. The manager was first Renzo Ulivieri and then Nevio Orlandi. The Amaranto finished 15th in Serie A and he played 9 league games.
In 2008-09 he was back at Lazio but again only until January. The manager was still Rossi and Makinwa played 4 league games and 2 in Coppa Italia. Lazio finished 10th but won the Coppa Italia.
In January 2009 he joined Chievo on loan. The manager was Domenico Di Carlo and the Clivensi finished 16th. Makinwa played 9 league games with 1 goal (Cagliari) and was limited by an injury.
In 2009-10 he was again back in the capital. The manager was now Davide Ballardini. Lazio won the Supercoppa in August beating Mourinho’s Inter 2-1 but then struggled and finished 12th. In February Ballardini was replaced by Edy Reja. Makinwa played 2 league games, 1 in Coppa Italia and 3 in the Europa League.
In July 2010 he moved to Greece to play for Larissa on loan. He played 10 league games with 1 goal and 1 game in the Greek Cup.
In the summer of 2011, he returned yet again to Lazio. This time however, under Edy Reja, he got no games and in June 2012 his contract expired. The Biancocelesti had a good season and finished 4th (Europa League).
His last three clubs were at a lower level: Carrarese (Serie D, 13 games and 6 goals), Beijing Baxy (11 games and 4 goals) and finally Gorica in Slovenia (17 games and 2 goals).
He then retired at almost 38.
At international level he earned 19 caps for Nigeria with 2 goals (South Africa, Lesotho). He won a bronze medal at the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations.
Makinwa was a forward. At 1.86 and 78 kilos he was a strong player but also fast. He was a prospect early in his career and had some good spells especially at Genoa, Atalanta and Palermo. He did not however really fulfil his potential, not helped by several injuries.
At Lazio he started well, scoring on his league debut at San Siro. In his various spells he lacked the consistency to impose himself as a regular. He played a total of 56 games for the Biancocelesti with 3 goals. He won a Super Coppa in 2009.
Lazio Career
Season | Total played (goals) | Serie A | Coppa Italia | Champions League | Europa League |
2006-07 | 25 (3) | 25 (3) | - | - | - |
2007-Jan 08 | 19 | 14 | 1 | 4 | - |
2008-Jan 09 | 6 | 4 | 2 | - | - |
2009-10 | 6 | 2 | 1 | - | 3 |
Total | 56 (3) | 45 (3) | 4 | 4 | 3 |
Sources
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