Once again Lazio have a crucial up coming match against Udinese AWAY. Last year we managed to comeback from a 3 nothing deficit and tie the game 3-3. I would say udinese is probably the closest team to ours in terms of quality. Udinese have a game in hand so realistically this game is what can officially put us ahead of them in the standings. I was hoping by this time after the break we would already see patches being made mercato-wise, but lotito is taking our urgency to sign new players rather slow .. which makes sense since he's just slow in the head.

To point out the obvious we need these 3 points desperately. A uefa spot is ridiculous to even ponder at this point and we need to just try and finish the season with some dignity and get out of relegation zone.

Last years 3-3 sent me into a mental breakdown to be honest, I will never forget that match. Udinese have quality, but like us are having a poor season. It will be difficult, Udinese can actually beat big sides in their home ground, something we seem unable to do, so im expecting an uncomfortable afternoon. We are still dangerously close to the bottom placings, especially as a number of teams below us have a game in hand so a win here would be massive and bring us closer to that glut of teams on 24/25 points.

i think it would 1-2 for Lazio 

Exactly.

To be honest guys... I think anything less then a win will suffice. They are our equals in so many ways.


Both have shit managers (I'd even say Di Biasi is a step below Ballardini, which is saying something) Both have fallen from CL qualification hopefuls to scrapheap teams in Serie A. Both have good players but ultimately will always end up shipping them off elsewhere most of the time. And both are having shit seasons.

It's not like me to be ambitious for a league game  but I am going to expect a win. If we can't conquer the Friuli playing against a team who have Di Biasi in charge, who themselves haven't won since November... and the fact we have just scored 4 goals in our last game (even though it was against shit, it doesn't matter)
Then what can this team actually hope to achieve, really?

From Football Italia:
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Udinese - Lazio
Stadio Friuli
      

Both Udinese and Lazio had very different plans for their seasons, but now find themselves on the edge of the relegation zone. With both sides in deep crisis there will be no time for mercy at the Friuli.

The Zebrette are really going through a tough time. Their defeat against Bari, their fourth in the last five games, meant they are now only three points away from relegation. Newly appointed Gianni De Biasi is trying to change things around but it all seems so difficult for them at the moment.

“We must be determined to change our destiny,” claimed ‘keeper Samir Handanovic.

“We have several players on loan who could be brought in to help us improve,” added President Giampaolo Pozzo suggesting the January transfer window will be a busy one in Udine.

The Biancocelesti are also struggling but collected a good win against Livorno in midweek. New boy Sergio Floccari scored a brace as they came back from one down. Still though they remain in the lower positions of the table, only one point ahead of Udinese.

“We needed Floccari, he gave us a boost,” noted Davide Ballardini. “There are many things to do though. We have to change a lot because there are players who are not needed while we could do with three or four signings.”

De Biasi recovers Antonio Di Natale for this important clash but is set to stick to his favourite 4-4-2 formation. Simone Pepe and Mauricio Isla should start wide on the flanks while Antonio Floro Flores is favourite over ex-Lazio man Bernardo Corradi up front.

Ballardini should opt for a 3-4-3. That means Mauro Zarate, Tommaso Rocchi and Floccari up front. “Rocchi and Zarate can’t really play together unless there is someone like Floccari or Cruz next to them,” explained the boss.

Keep an eye on: Sergio Floccari (Lazio) – First game for Floccari at Lazio on Wednesday and what a way to start. The former Atalanta man was forced off due to cramp, but will be 100 per cent fit for this trip to Udine.

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

Last season: Udinese 3-3 Lazio
Udinese (probable): Handanovic; Basta, Zapata, Coda, Lukovic; Isla, Inler, D’Agostino, Pepe; Lodi, Floro Flores, Di Natale

Lazio (probable): Muslera; Diakitè, Siviglia, Radu; Lichtsteiner, Firmani, Baronio, Kolarov; Floccari, Rocchi, Zarate

Udinese is very unpredictable. While they lost to some shit teams as we have they did something we couldn't and thats beat top teams such as milan, roma and genoa. This should be a really even match .. we've conceded less goals but they've been able to score more.

DiNatale who's also the top scorer in Serie A is also back for this match which isn't good news for us considering we're relying on unpredictable players like siviglia and diakite at the back. An in form udinese is alot stronger than our best side .. so i'm hoping they continue on their stretch of bad luck and ours ends since we can't seem to win just two in a row.

Too hard to predict but Di Natale will be the biggest factor game, the livorno goal went went buy 3 defenders and Udinese's strength comes in their attack.  3 point here will help in pulling away from the relegation lot and into sort of a serie A pergatory, no europe but at least we don't end the season fearing serie b. 

Samir handanovic

and
Bernardo corradi

two ex Laziale