15 march 2009: Lazio - Chievo

MATCH: LAZIO – CHIEVO VERONA

LAZIO
SS Lazio slipped into 7th place after a good start of the season. The reasons are not clear, they don’t have important injuries or financial problems. Zarate that managed to score almost every game at beginning of the season, now he miss to score constantly; he is in competition with Rocchi.
The last 3 games at home against same-level teams (Inter, Genoa, Juventus) didn’t bring more than 2 points (2 draws and 1 loss).
Looking at the table Lazio scored 39 time overall, but also 37 goals conceded: this show a lack in defence, especially at home.

Team news: Del Nero (D), Meghni (M), Dab (M)

CHIEVO VERONA
Chievo do need to worry too about relegation, they sit with the same points of Torino, with a need of 2 points to avoid relegation
They did do ok at Cagliari, scoring 1 goal and managed to draw 1-1, but they dont like cross balls, corners and set plays in general and although hes had some good games this season the keeper does come up with some unbelievable blunders at times. The coach will be able to count on full squad for this match but that will not be a big help in this match.

Team news: Bentivoglio (M), Langella (M)

HEAD TO HEAD
29/10/2008 Chievo 1 – 2 Lazio
18/04/2007 Lazio 0 – 0 Chievo

VERDICT
Great the boost of confidence against Naples, Lazio can still reach the 4th place of the league.
Lazio should have no difficulty on grabbing the 3 points on this match, the forwards Pandev, Zarate and Rocchi are making the goals the team needs, showing their danger for the opposition nets.
Chievo can close the spaces very well, and managed to score in the past games with shots from distance. That's the strategy they will adopt also in Rome, but an early goal of Lazio can open the doors to an over 2,5 match