I have received messages requesting from me not to write about yesterday`s match we lost to Cagliari. And I am ready to comply with such a request, because there is little one can say about that awkward match.

First and foremost, I want the entire defense that started yesterday to sit on the bench for the next few games. Especially Carrizo, who appears to be over-confident, while his capabilities are certainly not Buffon`s or other goalies who play in the elite. While we were excited to see Diakite develop (and me supporting him publicaly via this blog), I am afraid I have to say that he is not what I was thinkg he might become. This guy is average defender at best. We were ready to forgive his fatal mistake against Inter and than against Reggina, but yesterday, it became clear that he is unable to defend low balls and guard smaller forwards. With regards to Rozenhal, he has also proven that he is not as consistent as one central defender needs to be. He either prefers to team with Cribari or Siviglia or something must be wrong with him. We need him to be more confident and stable. About Kolarov, he is the most brainles player to ever play for us. It is a pitty to see such a powerfull left foot and overall amazing body defend so poorly and generaly read the game so weak. I said it from the beginning that he is no Lazio material. If he was good, he would have played for Partizan Belgrade or Stella Rosa (like all Serbia footballers do) before making an international move to Serie A. About Lichsteiner, he has lost the initial pace and focus he had, which impressed all of us. He also needs more defensive lessons. When Delio Rossi decides to field a formation with 3 forwards + Mauri, than De Silvestri should play I think. He is better defensively.

Based on all that I`ve said, it became obvious I guess that we need to sign an authoritative central defender these days. Just bring in Ayala and team him up with Siviglia and oponents will get scared away.

Today at 3 PM we face Cagliari at Olimpico.

Radu, who was suposed to play failed to recover from a minor injury, so Delio Rossi will obviously field Kolarov. The same goes for Mourad Meghni, who will be replaced by Stafano Mauri, to whom I wish to repeat his performance against Torino on Thursady. The other line up is anticipated.

Carrizo: Lichsteiner, Diakite, Rozenhal, Kolarov; Brocchi, Ledesma, Mauri; Zarate, Pandev, Rocchi.

Our players must win this one as by doing so we will overtake at least Fiorentina, who suffered third consecutive defeat. Also, if Napoli draws or loses to rioma, we may overtake them as well.

I usually don`t like to watch Coppa Italia matches, even when Lazio plays. However, last night I had decided to watch the match against Toro and I did not regret to say the least. I was surprised to see Ledesma, Rocchi, Zarate, starting as I expected them to rest. That meant that Delio Rossi took this match seriously, as he should.

The first half was what Lazio often displayed this season.  A pale dominance on the ball without making any serious chance to score. And of course, a small miss-calculation of Muslera in stretching caused the Toro goal, scored by their defender Natale.

And then in the second half, we see a totally different Lazio, fully determined to change the flow of the match. Pandev enters for injured Foggia (someone stepped on his hand) who scored after a fine pass delivered by Mauri. The latter than scores one of the best goals of the season. A strong left-footed shot from 20 meters. And again the usual Lazio: after the lead the players stop the pace. However, Torino could not score and when the match was coming to an end, Tommy Rocchi fired a shot from 17 meters which ends behind Calderoni`s back.

Man of the match: the much criticized Stefano Mauri. For the pass that lead to Pandev`s goal, for his own goal as well as for his involvement.

Through its web page, Chievo Verona just announced to have signed on loan our forward Stephan Makinwa. You can read here the official announcement.

With the arrival of Zarate and Simone Inzaghi scoring 2 important goals for us, Makinwa became out of favor and lost that status as Delio Rossi`s option for our attack.

Tonight we play Torino for the third quarter final match of the Coppa Italia. Sampdoria beat Udinese 4-1 after penalties while Inter last night kick out rioma 2-1. The fourth match is between Napoli and Juve, to take place on 4 Feb.

Delio Rossi is most probably making some changes. Muslera, De Silvestri, Siviglia, Kolarov, Matuzalem, Foggia are expected to receive rare starts, while the liked of Ledesma, Pandev, Diakite, Rozenhal, Radu and Carrizo will most probably sit on the bench or not be called at all. First it was thought that Makinwa would start the match, but it appears he will be a Chievo player by tomorrow.

What else to say, it would be good to pass this round and than make a run at the Coppa title. It would be nice to have a piece of silverware after a long time has passed.

vs.     

You already know the result of the match and you must have seen the goals or highlights by this day. However, I want to provide a short match summary, from the point of view I saw this match.

We started at a great pace and put Juve in trouble. As the way the match was progressing, it was a matter of time when we would score. We attacked with no fear, even though Juve has proven to be a cunning side. The opening goal came from Ledesma, whose shot from the left side surprised Manninger and got in. It was such a lovely goal. After that, Juve managed to balance the game and equalize just some minutes after through Mellberg, who once again put our defense on set-pieces under a large question mark. Somehow, our players get confused when marking oposition players on such occasion. They should get nastier as in Italy, such is the fashion or the natyre of defendinig.

In the second half, Juve was the better side initially but as time went by, Lazio players managed to balance the game. Both teams had their chances to win the match, for Juve it was Legrotaglie who hit the post after a strong shot (Carrizo could do nothing honestly) and for us it was Zarate with a nice shot that went wide, and especially Pasquale Foggia who somehow missed from 2 meters. He later said that a penalty should have been awarded as he was pushed by a Juve defender.

As much as I dislike Juve, I think a draw was a fair result and Lazio showed some nice football against a sneaky adversary. What one can notice from big teams like Juve is that, who ever players in defense, they are really nasty and play strong. Such exampled should be followed, especially by our future star Diakite.

One can not but notice that Pandev had one of his weakest matches since his arrival to Lazio. Whatever happened to him will remain a mistery. He should have been taken out immediately after the second half began.

Next we play Torino (this Thursday) for Coppa Italia and than Cagliari. Both matches are @ Olimpico.

Sorry once again for the lack of match preview. I have been pretty busy once again with work and other private staff.

Juve will most probably miss some important players like Chielini, Camoranesi, Buffon, Grygera, Salihamidzic for various reasons.

Lazio on the other hand will have all the team available and I expect the following formation:

Carrizo: Lichtsteiner, Diakite, Rozenhal, Radu; Dabo, Ledesma,  Meghni, Zarate, Pandev and Rocchi.

I have no idea who will start for Juve, and I don`t actually care. However, we should be careful about set-pieces as Del Piero has become world`s best in taking them.

Well, as usual, January is a month or better put, a chance when teams have the right to correct mistakes that they did during summer mercato campaign. This is the second transfer window of the year and every team is trying to improve it`s roster…and so is our dear president Lotito and Igli Tare.

Before purchasing, Lotito promised that he woultd try to offload some of the players, with forward Makinwa topping the list. He will most probably end at Chievo Verona, or abroad. Other players Lotito hopes to get rid of are Belleri, Del Nero, Manfredini and possibly Cribari.

On the other front, of those expected to arrive, there are few names being mentioned and there are some options. If Cribari goes, than veteran defender Ayala will join us for sure. Also, a midfielder is greatly needed but the recuperation of Matuzalem and if it proves that Meghni could play on that position as he did against Reggina, it may push the management and coach Rossi to change mind.

Those would be the most recent happening with regards to Lazio mercato.

Please excuse me for failing to post a match report for this match as I usually do. Many things to do these days.

A fantastic win yesterday at Reggio Calabria. And this is only thanks to an inspired Mauro Zarate and Goran Pandev, who took advantage in the best way possible the assists provided by the Argie.

All in all, it was an entertaining match to watch with both teams playing an open match.

Delio Rossi started with Carrizo, De Silvestri, Diakite, Rozenhal and Radu in defense. Dabo, Ledesma and Meghni in the middle and Zarate, Pandev and Rocchi up front.

What left a bitter taste in my mouth was the mistake of Diakite, on the occasion of Reggina`s second goal. It was a similar mistake like against Inter when he scored that own-goal. It appears he panicks a lot when the ball enters the box. I really hope he overcomes these situations and manages to clear the ball.

Another quick post, just to congratulate all Lazio fans on our 109-th birthday.

Lazio was born on this day, in 1900. Lazio has gone through so many things, its supporters through many pains and suffering, but also through a lot of joy and happiness.

I know Lazio is not a club with many trophies won in Serie A nor in European competition, but when you become a Lazio fan, that does not matter. I am proud to be Laziale and I am sure of all of you are. Happy Lazio`s 109th birthday and I hope this and the years to come will see better days for our beloved club. The following photo I am borrowing from my friends @ LazioFever.org

In case you did not know, Italian Lazio fans meet at Piazza dela Liberta in Rome at around midnight and have drinks to celebrate Lazio`s birthdays every year. For more on this subject, please visit think link.