Lazio will probably play with 3-5-2. Its certain that Rocchi and Floccari will be in the attack. As a surprise some reports say that Barreto will be on the bench. 50 000 are expected in Olimpico and that promise hell to Bari. So its all up to the players now and of course the coach, some say that he will be on the bench in Sunday. Any info on this?

 This is what we can expect:
               Muslera
     Lich    Stendardo    radu
Brocchi Matu Ledesma Mauri Kolarov
              rocchi floccari

Lazio - Bari
Stadio Olimpico
      

Edy Reja’s men are in crisis and without talismanic striker Mauro Zarate, but Bari are back on track after a disastrous run of results.

Lazio hover three points above the relegation zone and have won only once in the last nine rounds. That was the 2-0 at Parma on Reja’s debut after replacing Davide Ballardini in mid-February. Incredibly the Biancocelesti haven’t celebrated a victory on home turf since a 4-1 over Livorno on January 6, followed by two draws and a defeat.

The tension spilled out last weekend in a 2-1 loss at Sampdoria, as Zarate was sent off for dissent and had to be dragged away by teammates. This furious reaction earned the Argentine a two-match ban, so he will be suspended for both this game and the trip to Cagliari.

The injury list includes Julio Cruz, Fabio Firmani, Mourad Meghni, Pasquale Foggia, Christian Manfredini, Albano Bizzarri, Ousmane Dabo, Andre Dias and possibly Stephan Lichtsteiner. If Reja sticks with the 4-3-3 system he adopted last week, then Stephen Makinwa should complete the trident with Sergio Floccari and Tommaso Rocchi.

Bari had been in a similar crisis with four consecutive defeats, one win and six losses in nine games. They put an end to that run when seeing off Chievo 1-0 last weekend. It wasn’t the biggest confidence-booster, though, as Massimo Donati took over spot-kick duties from Paulo Vitor Barreto and missed the team’s fifth of the campaign.

Their treatment room is no less packed than Lazio’s, as it includes Alessandro Parisi, Mariano Donda, Vitalii Kutuzov, Andrea Ranocchia, Emmanuel Rivas and Alessandro Gazzi. Javier ‘Nacho’ Castillo finally broke his duck to secure the Chievo victory and should again start alongside Barreto with Riccardo Allegretti in support.

At least there is some good news for the home side, as the fans have pledged to end their protest against the club and flock to the Olimpico in order to cheer on the players. Their last home game was played in an almost empty stadium, as the ultras refused to turn up.

Bari’s record at the Olimpico in all competitions is of just six wins, 11 draws and 23 defeats. The last victory was 2-1 on January 29 1995 in Serie A, followed by five losses and one 0-0 stalemate. These sides haven’t met here since Lazio won 2-1 in the Coppa Italia in January 2003, but it should be noted that the Biancocelesti lost 2-0 at the San Nicola earlier this season.

Keep an eye on: Sergio Floccari (Lazio) – The former Genoa striker had put them in front at Marassi last week and in the absence of Zarate will have even more responsibility on his shoulders to lead the Lazio front line.

Last five in Serie A: Lazio (L W L D L) Bari (L L L L W)

Last season: Not played
Lazio (probable): Muslera; Diakite, Stendardo, Siviglia, Radu; Brocchi, Ledesma, Kolarov; Rocchi, Floccari, Makinwa

Bari (probable): Gillet; Belmonte, A Masiello, Bonucci, S Masiello; Donati, Alvarez, Almiron, Allegretti; Castillo, Barreto

Zarate got a two-match ban, Rocchi and Reja none. More happy news expect on Sunday if there is stream of course.

Nice to see your 1000th post is a positive one 

Probable formation (from LLSN)

Muslera; Biava, Dias, Radu; Lichtsteiner, Brocchi, Ledesma, Matuzalem, Kolarov; Rocchi, Floccari.

Well if we learned something through the season is that the possible formations is in about 5% of the matches exact. In the first site it is one, on the second other. So no point at discussing it.
Something interesting:
Lazio's home record: 18   Lazio   13   3   5   5   12:13   14
Bari's away record:   18   Bari   14   1   5   8   11:24   8
It's the 18th host vs the 18th visitor.
It's a mustwin if we are to stay in Seria A. Win at all costs.

Well, it won't take mircales for Atalanta or Livorno to pass us sadly long term but this weekend is a great opportunity to establish a six point gap away from the relegation zone. Rioma probably won't find too many problems against Livorno and Atalanta have to travel to Parma who are beginning to find their feet again.

The key is that we don't shut up shop if we take the lead. Its been pathetic this season, shutting up shop at home against midtable sides is an approach that has led to disaster time and time again. Kill the game, not the remaining time.