I want to see us end the season at home with a win, to keep us in the top half and to stop the rot of 2 home defeats in a row. Besides, we should take this seriously, we have a duty to as we cant do Reggina any favours as the other teams involved in the relegation battle and I would far rather see Torino and Bologna in Serie A than Reggina. No offence to their fans,  but they have brought little to the table this season apart from some dire displays. Mendicino hopefully will get time on the pitch and will have a better opportunity to score in this one as Reggina have to win, so hopefully he can exploit the space  07


Its on bet365.com by the way

Thanks for taking care of the post for me JoFo.

Reggina is done and finally the tiny thread they were hanging on all season has broken. Even last year they dodged relegation by a hair. With really nothing left to fight for on either side, I see Lazio walking out of this game the winner.

Reggina still have hope, little but hope is hope. So, I think they will fight till. As to us, we are playing just match, nothing comes if we win. I think Reggina may win. They need points much more than us.

Serie A Preview: Lazio - Reggina
Lazio will be celebrating their Coppa Italia triumph when they welcome struggling Reggina to the Olimpico.
 Wednesday, May 20, 19:30 CET,
Stadio Olimpico, Roma


Lazio Testing The Future

In last Sunday’s 2-0 defeat to Palermo it was quite clear the concentration level of the Lazio squad has severely dipped following their Coppa Italia triumph. With their most recent objective complete and a place in next season’s Europa League secured, Lazio will almost certainly use the final two rounds to test out some youngsters as they start to prepare for the future.

Following the first ever Serie A start for Ettore Mendicino and the debut of Riccardo Perpetuini, Lazio demonstrated the strength of their primavera youth set-up. After failing to hold onto Federico Macheda two summers ago, there could be a slight change of heart within the Lazio coaching team as they start to push more youngsters through into the first team squad.

As reports suggest Delio Rossi is set to hand Alessandro Tuia his Serie A debut on Wednesday, the fans could be in for a glimpse of the future when he plays alongside Modibo Diakite at the back. Currently the captain of the Lazio reserves, Tuia’s arrival in the first team set-up has been long awaited by the Curva Nord. Should he get his chance on Wednesday evening, he will certainly be given a hero’s welcome when he steps onto the Olimpico turf.

Remarkable Reggina Resisting Relegation

Following a vital victory over Cagliari at the weekend, Reggina were left slightly disappointed in the knowledge that fellow strugglers Bologna and Torino had also picked up maximum points. Despite the set-back at the weekend, Nevio Orlandi will be buoyed by the fact his side now possess a new-found winning mentality, and with two rounds remaining this could prove the difference between the drop or survival.

Given their position just over a month ago it seems quite remarkable that Reggina are still battling for survival right to the bitter end. After having bridged a substantial gap on their fellow relegation rivals, the Amaranto finally moved off rock bottom following Sunday’s victory. With a recent history of pulling off the great escape under Walter Mazzarri two seasons ago, the Reggina faithful are becoming accustomed to life on the edge as they prepare for what could be another historic final day.

As Orlandi’s side prepare for their premature trip to Rome, they will be aware that nothing less than maximum points will do if they are to leave themselves any hope for a final day miracle. Should Reggina return south with a precious victory, it would almost certainly put added pressure on their rivals preparing to take to the field at the weekend.


FORM GUIDE

Lazio

17 May: Palermo 2-0 Lazio
13 May: Lazio 1-1 Sampdoria (Coppa Italia Final, Lazio win 7-6 on penalties)
10 May: Lazio 1-3 Udinese
02 May: Inter 2-0 Lazio
26 April: Lazio 0-1 Atalanta

Reggina

17 May: Reggina 2-1 Cagliari
09 May: Sampdoria 5-0 Reggina
02 May: Bologna 1-2 Reggina
26 April: Reggina 2-2 Juventus
19 April: Atalanta 0-1 Reggina


TEAM NEWS

Lazio

Delio Rossi looks set to hand Alessandro Tuia his Serie A debut alongside Modibo Diakite at the back. Juan Pablo Carrizo is certain to feature between the sticks in place of penalty hero Fernando Muslera. Cristian Brocchi will watch the game from the stands as he completes his two-match suspension.

Probable Starting XI (4-4-2): Carrizo; De Silvestri, Diakite, Tuia, Kolarov; Lichtsteiner, Ledesma, Matuzalem, Del Nero; Medicino, Zarate

Reggina

Nevio Orlandi looks set to confirm the bulk of the side that successfully disposed of Cagliari at the weekend. Alessio Sestu, Davide Di Gennaro and Gleison Santos are currently unavailable due to injury, but Carlos Valdez should return to the bench after sitting out a ban on Sunday.

Probable Starting XI (3-5-2): Puggioni; Lanzaro, Cirillo, Costa; Vigiani, Barreto, Carmona, Barilla, Hallfredsson, Brienza, Corradi


PLAYERS TO WATCH

Following another top-drawer performance in Lazio’s Coppa victory last week, all eyes will be on Mauro Zarate to see what the mercurial youngster can produce next. After expressing his desire to break into the Argentina national team, El Pibe De Haedo will certainly want to keep his foot on the gas, despite Lazio’s apparent lack of motivation. He showed his desire in just 20 minutes against Palermo and was constantly whistled by the Barbera crowd in fear of his attacking threat.

Bernardo Corradi has been a vital source of firepower this term for the Amaranto, and after returning from injury recently he will surely want to have one final say on the outcome of Reggina’s survival hopes. Once a favourite amongst the Lazio faithful, he will surely be rewarded a warm reception when he walks out to face his former side.


PREDICTION

As Lazio prepare for their final encounter at the Olimpico this season, they will surely be wary of picking up a fifth consecutive league defeat in front of their home fans. Although Delio Rossi’s men have little to play for, I expect them to show some pride and finish the campaign on a high.

With Reggina showing many faces in recent weeks, it is hard to tell which side will turn up in Rome as the relegation story reaches its climax. Should the Amaranto show the same determination as last weekend, they have every chance of taking maximum points back to Calabria.

Lazio 2-1 Reggina

He can play all of them, starting at least 3.

Has Radu been injured all this time?? Its been a long time since he played.

He played on the weekend against palermo.