After a promising , if unsuccessful opening week Lazio take to the home confines of the Olimpico to play the home opener against Bologna. Unfortunately, home was decidedly unfriendly for Lazio last year as the Eagles managed a dismal 5-6-8 record at home. To add to the unhospitability of their home grounds, ticket sales have been sluggish as fans have protested government measures to ID spectators. At last count, the cavernous Olimpico will host about 11,000 spectators. On the positive side of the numbers is Reja: in his last ten home matches at the Olimpico, Reja has a stellar 6-3-1 record. The last time Reja lost a home opener was three years ago in Napoli when Pasquale Foggia scored for Cagliari to defeat Reja's Partenopei; but then again, it was also the season Napoli went on to finish eighth - their best showing under Reja.

Bologna have begun their season on a high - tying Inter in the Monday match of week one ahead of the tremendous goaltending of Emiliano Viviano who also received his first International cap for the Azzurri against the Farroe Islands. The Rossoblu also feature three ex Laziali in Gaby Mudingay, Massimo Mutarelli and Marco DiVaio as well as avowed Laziale Daniele Portanova.

Reja will have to do without Javier Garrido who will be out for a further two weeks. The coach is said to be toying with a 4 man defensive format and sent out a four man unit of Scaloni, Biava, Dias and Radu - though the absent Lichsteiner would surely take the place of the Argentinian. The question is whether Reja will employ a 4-3-1-2 (with Brocchi, Ledesma and Matuzalem in the mid and Rocchi and Floccari up top ahead of Hernanes) or 4-2-3-1 (with Matuzalem and Ledesma low and Zarate and Hernanes supporting the lone Floccari). In any event, if the Aquilotti hope to expunge some of the negative memories of last season and provide fans with a glimmer of optimism for the upcoming year, the full three points are certainly mandatory.

Forza Lazio!



 

Lich Dias Stendardo Radu
   
 Brocchi Ledesma Matu
       
           Hernanes

        Rocchi   Zarate

Bring it on ... 

Looks like Reja continued to test a 4-man defence today, but he says he will await the return of the nationals to make a firm decision.

This is a big moment. I cannot see Europe continuing with this 3 man crap... even if we get Lugano and Roque in Jan. Europe on the other hand (7th) could be, however, no better or worse then a decent possibility if we revert back to some sort of 4-3-1-2, which isn't the 4-4-2 I want but who the fuck cares, it's near enough.

As for this game, needless to say, but I have to say it, a win is a must. Bologna defended well against Inter but they had loads of luck on their side too, and I can't see a repeat performance, or a result.
Anyway, please excuse me for now, I need to send an email to Adamo why I banned him. This will be fun. 

4 man defense 
Finally, will not see useless crosses from Lich. I would like to see Gonzales having some minutes, to realise why he was bought for. Matu was a ghost against Samdoria, maybe Bresciano deserves the start this time. Wonder if Curva Nord will be full after all the ticket/ID problems, first game on homeground this season after all. However a must win for sure.

agree! Bresciano in. forget what I said about the Diamond

          Ledesma
  Brocchi        Bresciano
          Hernanes

should be unstoppable

I agree with Debez, I want to see Radu and Stendardo in the center, wouldn't mind seeing Del Nero at left back since Garrido is injured. Brocchi, Ledesma and Matu in the mid.

^ I still think give Rocchi a shot from 16 yards out, and there's no-one better for us. But yes it's a big shame, especially since all signs point to us going back to a somewhat more Lazio-like 4-4-2 of some description. In his stead, I am demanding Zarate to get his first goal of the season on his way to 12-15 for us, otherwise he can fuck off.