What: Serie A, Matchday 20
Who: Lazio (7th place, 31pts) vs Cagliari (11th place, 25pts)
When: Sunday 25 January 2009, 15:00 CET
Where: Stadio Olimpico, Roma
Eagles Nesting Upon High
Following five positive results, Lazio enter Sunday’s encounter in fine form as they continue on their journey towards a return to Europe. After last week's 1-1 draw with Scudetto hopefuls Juventus, the Biancocelesti closed the first half of the season on 31 points, a club record during the reign of Claudio Lotito.
In every season under current coach Delio Rossi, Lazio have managed to secure more points in the second half of the campaign. Should this trend continue the capital club look well set to move further up the standings come May. However, given the current competition from fellow Euro hopefuls such as Genoa, Napoli and Fiorentina, the Biancocelesti will be aware that it could prove to be by far their toughest run-in for a number of seasons.
With a number of close rivals going head-to-head on Sunday, Lazio will want to capitalise with nothing less than a victory. A positive result in front of the Biancocelesti faithful could not only launch Lazio towards the top spots, but may help increase the gap on arch-rivals Roma, who now sit a sole point behind in the standings.
Delio Rossi is aware that the longer his side keep a positive momentum going the better their chances are come the spring.
Belated Cagliari Continue To Climb
Despite their abysmal start to the campaign, Cagliari have turned their season around in spectacular fashion rising to 11th in the standings. Considering their early season setbacks, their current form is now on par with the Euro chasing sides such as Genoa, Napoli and Lazio. The Isolani can look back to early October when a hard fought stalemate against Milan jump-started their season and gave Allegri’s men a renewed confidence.
Coach Allegri can almost count the early season setbacks as a blessing after having recently found some consistency in his side. With his Cagliari team now sitting a handsome 10 points clear of the drop zone, they can afford to confront each game with a little less tension and look to consolidate their safety as soon as possible. Should their positive run continue, it could prove to be one of their most successful campaigns since the days of Carlo Mazzone.
Following their 2-0 victory over Udinese at the Sant’Elia, Cagliari will be buoyed by their ability to compete with anyone on their day. Whilst an away trip to the capital should prove to be a sterner test, the Isolani have the added incentive of revenge after being demolished 4-1 by the Biancocelesti on the opening day of the campaign.
Following five positive results, Lazio enter Sunday’s encounter in fine form as they continue on their journey towards a return to Europe. After last week's 1-1 draw with Scudetto hopefuls Juventus, the Biancocelesti closed the first half of the season on 31 points, a club record during the reign of Claudio Lotito.
In every season under current coach Delio Rossi, Lazio have managed to secure more points in the second half of the campaign. Should this trend continue the capital club look well set to move further up the standings come May. However, given the current competition from fellow Euro hopefuls such as Genoa, Napoli and Fiorentina, the Biancocelesti will be aware that it could prove to be by far their toughest run-in for a number of seasons.
With a number of close rivals going head-to-head on Sunday, Lazio will want to capitalise with nothing less than a victory. A positive result in front of the Biancocelesti faithful could not only launch Lazio towards the top spots, but may help increase the gap on arch-rivals Roma, who now sit a sole point behind in the standings.
Delio Rossi is aware that the longer his side keep a positive momentum going the better their chances are come the spring.
Belated Cagliari Continue To Climb
Despite their abysmal start to the campaign, Cagliari have turned their season around in spectacular fashion rising to 11th in the standings. Considering their early season setbacks, their current form is now on par with the Euro chasing sides such as Genoa, Napoli and Lazio. The Isolani can look back to early October when a hard fought stalemate against Milan jump-started their season and gave Allegri’s men a renewed confidence.
Coach Allegri can almost count the early season setbacks as a blessing after having recently found some consistency in his side. With his Cagliari team now sitting a handsome 10 points clear of the drop zone, they can afford to confront each game with a little less tension and look to consolidate their safety as soon as possible. Should their positive run continue, it could prove to be one of their most successful campaigns since the days of Carlo Mazzone.
Following their 2-0 victory over Udinese at the Sant’Elia, Cagliari will be buoyed by their ability to compete with anyone on their day. Whilst an away trip to the capital should prove to be a sterner test, the Isolani have the added incentive of revenge after being demolished 4-1 by the Biancocelesti on the opening day of the campaign.
TEAM NEWS
Lazio
Delio Rossi will be without Ousmane Dabo, who picked up his fourth booking of the season last Sunday against Juventus. The good news for the Lazio tactician is the much awaited return of Francelino Matuzalem. The talented Brazilian has been out since late September, but should make the bench after making his recovery.
Probable Starting XI (4-3-3): Carrizo; Radu, Rozehnal, Diakité, Lichtsteiner; Ledesma, Brocchi, Mauri; Zarate, Rocchi, Pandev
Cagliari
Massimiliano Allegri will have to make do without Alessandro Agostini who is nursing a tendon injury. Andrea Cossu will also miss the encounter through suspension after he received his eighth booking of the term last week. The rest of the side remains unchanged from the victory over Udinese.
Probable Starting XI (4-3-1-2): Marchetti; Pisano, Bianco, Lopez, Matheu; Biondini, Fini, Conti; Lazzari; Aquafresca, Jeda
Lazio
Delio Rossi will be without Ousmane Dabo, who picked up his fourth booking of the season last Sunday against Juventus. The good news for the Lazio tactician is the much awaited return of Francelino Matuzalem. The talented Brazilian has been out since late September, but should make the bench after making his recovery.
Probable Starting XI (4-3-3): Carrizo; Radu, Rozehnal, Diakité, Lichtsteiner; Ledesma, Brocchi, Mauri; Zarate, Rocchi, Pandev
Cagliari
Massimiliano Allegri will have to make do without Alessandro Agostini who is nursing a tendon injury. Andrea Cossu will also miss the encounter through suspension after he received his eighth booking of the term last week. The rest of the side remains unchanged from the victory over Udinese.
Probable Starting XI (4-3-1-2): Marchetti; Pisano, Bianco, Lopez, Matheu; Biondini, Fini, Conti; Lazzari; Aquafresca, Jeda
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