Lazio-Cagliari

By: Jeremy | January 23rd, 2009

The second half of the season begins this weekend in Rome where the Isolani travel to face a Lazio team that is in every bit as good of form as Cagliari. Where Cagliari has used recent results to overcome a horrid start to solidify a midtable position, Lazio has done just as well and their consistency makes them real threats for a UEFA Cup spot and who knows they might even slide into that fourth Champions League position.

For fans that can remember that far back, we lost at home to these guys 4-1 opening weekend in what was a disaster game where an initial handball penalty cost us Lopez, who looked very clumsy on that play, and gave Lazio the extra man leading to the multiple goals. While we certainly didnt deserve to win the game, the scoreline was a little misleading. It was a harbinger for things to come and we would lose the first five games of the season and have been recovering ever since.

We will no doubt want to show more of ourselves and have to feel like we can win this game considering our recent performances including a pretty good showing against Roma weeks ago in the same stadium we will play in this weekend.

Lazio is flying high and has been one of the more consistent clubs in Serie A this year. Last weeks draw against Juve has them feeling confident that they can beat anyone, especially at home. Despite their solid play, competition for European places is extra strong this year and they have to win games like these if they are going to finish ahead of Roma, Fiorentina, Napoli, and the fast charging team from Palermo amongst others. There is no room for error and anything less then a win will be disappointing.

Cagliari is at a crossroads as they begin the second half. The team has moved ten points clear from the drop and the relegation teams seem to be emerging sooner rather then later. Where competition in the top half of the table has increased this year, the bottom clubs are showing themselves a little sooner. Top to bottom Serie A simply is not as good as it was last year. So where does that leave us? While safety is not guaranteed for a team like ours this early, we have to feel confident. Since we have played almost as well as any team since week five, including the UEFA Cup contenders, why cant we do what is necessary to move up rather then look back constanly fearing relegation no matter where we are in the standings? As weak as the back end of the standings seem to be, the top half is so strong that getting a UEFA Cup spot is really out of the question absent a brilliant run of form. Considering our recent history, we are in a good spot and future analysis needs to be left open for now as games like this one can add further confidence and belief that we can be European candidates or it can be a reminder that while safety seems likely, we could still finish 15th or 16th just as easily as 10th.

There are two reasons why Lazio wins this weekend. They are at home and we will not have Cossu. Goals have been tough for us on the road and without Cossus great work, unless Biondini is suddenly an offensive midfielder, our offense will struggle. Our lack of depth is really exposed when we miss a key player. Lazios good form at home gives them the extra edge needed when two teams are playing well and confident they can beat anyone.

While I hope we show the offensive play we showed last weekend, this game will be similar to our recent game with Reggina. We should play them close in a boring game, but this is one game where Lazio is just a little better then we are and it may be Foggia that scores the winning goal. Just another reminder that our failure to buy him when given the opportunity has made this very much a what if kind of season.

Prediction

Lazio 1-0 Cagliari