Lazio’s ambitions took a hammer blow last week and if they don’t beat Novara then it’ll be called a full-blown crisis.
The Biancocelesti were even considered Scudetto contenders by some during the first few rounds, but Edy Reja is back under pressure. With one point from the last two games and not a single goal scored, their 0-0 away to Napoli was a decent result, but the 1-0 home defeat to Juventus effectively killed off title dreams.
To crank up the tension further, a deeply disappointing 0-0 Europa League draw against Romanians Vaslui means qualification is out of their hands. Djibril Cissè has been most under fire due to his goal drought, the longest of his playing career, and the Frenchman exploded on Twitter. “All you ****ers like to talk, you will regret your words soon. Bye bye you bunch of idiots. You will see really who I am, I will make all of you haters regret your words.”
In part because of this outburst, Cissè could be dropped in favour of Tommaso Rocchi, who’ll join Miroslav Klose and Hernanes in the Monday night kick-off. Lazio must do without the injured Cristian Brocchi, Andre Dias, Libor Kozak, Stefano Mauri, Javier Garrido, Francelino Matuzalem and Stephen Makinwa.
If Lazio are plunging, then Novara have finally seen the light at the end of the tunnel. Without a win since beating Inter 3-1 on September 20, they fought back to upset Parma 2-1 and revive their fortunes. It was a much-needed boost for the minnows, who had previously managed just three points from the preceding eight games.
The attack is a major problem for Novara, who only on four occasions have scored more than one goal in a single game. This is why it’s particularly galling that an appeal against Riccardo Meggiorini’s three match ban was rejected this week. Giuseppe Gemiti is also suspended, joining the injured Massimo Paci, Taka Morimoto, Andrea Lisuzzo and possibly also Paolo Hernan Dellafiore and Alex Pinardi on the sidelines.
Goalkeeper Samir Ujkani should make his Serie A comeback after breaking his jaw, nose and losing four teeth in a horrific accidental collision with teammate Michel Morganella on October 16. He tested out the new protective mask during the midweek Coppa Italia 3-2 victory over Catania.
Keep an eye on: Miroslav Klose (Lazio) – The German veteran has been the shining light for Lazio this season and a great bargain on a free transfer from Bayern Munich, netting six times in 11 Serie A games. Recent setbacks show when he is absent, the Biancocelesti struggle to find the net.
Form Guide: Lazio (D W W D L) Novara (D D L L W)
Stat fact: Novara have only ever beaten Lazio away from home once in 17 official attempts. That was a 3-1 Serie A triumph on May 4 1952, along with 12 defeats and four draws in all competition. They’ll want to forget the 1973 Coppa Italia match that ended 6-0.
Lazio (probable): Marchetti; Konko, Diakitè, Biava, Radu; Gonzalez, Ledesma, Lulic; Hernanes; Klose, Rocchi
Novara (probable): Ujkani; Morganella, Centurioni, Ludi, Garcia; Porcari, Radovanovic, Rigoni; Mazzarani; Granoche, Rubino
http://www.football-italia.net/SerieA/match/preview/9702
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