July 20, 2011: Lazio Luzerne 5-1, friendly

Lazio Look Fearsome as Klose and Cissé Lead Five-Star Display

A brace from Zarate and an irresistible second-half display from Klose and Cissé give supporters a tantalising glimpse of Lazio’s attacking force

Lazio Jersey 2011-12

• Other games in July

• Season 2011-12

Source Lazio Wiki

The season so far

The 2010-11 season had been disappointing as Lazio failed to qualify for the Champions League playoff on goal difference, so, much to the surprise of fans and media, Claudio Lotito decided that it was time to cough up some money. There were many new arrivals: goalkeeper Federico Marchetti, right back Abdoulay Konko, midfielder Lorik Cana, defender Marius Stankevicius but, more importantly, left back Senad Lulic and the attacking duo Djibril Cissé and Miroslav Klose. Saying farewell to Lazio were Fernando Muslera (Galatasaray) and Stephan Lichtsteiner (Juventus). Mourad Meghni ended his contract by mutual consent.

The Biancocelesti were in their preseason training in the usual Auronzo di Cadore. They had so far played three friendlies against minor teams and today was the first real test. Luzerne was in the Swiss top tier.

The match: Wednesday, July 20, 2011, Auronzo di Cadore, Stadio Rodolfo Zandegiacomo

Lazio look like a frightening prospect because up front they now have Miroslav Klose and Djibril Cissé, two strikers with championship-winning credentials. They know how to find the back of the net and would walk into the starting line-up of either Milan or Inter. All they need is for the ball to be delivered into the penalty area, and the German and the Frenchman take care of the rest. Yesterday, they needed only the final half hour to put on another show and demolish Lucerne, who compete in the Swiss topflight. The visitors stayed in the contest for just an hour, until Edy Reja reshuffled his side. It ended in a rout, but Lazio's performance also featured a brace from Mauro Zárate, the Argentine forward eager to prove he is no longer expendable. He is trying to reclaim centre stage, relying less on tricks and more on efficiency. Goals silence all criticism, and Zárate did just that after only four minutes, delicately guiding Lionel Scaloni's cross into the far corner with his first real chance to give Lazio the lead.

With the aim of giving all his players equal playing time, Reja started with a 4-3-3 and a line-up some distance from what was expected to be his strongest eleven. Giuseppe Sculli and Sergio Floccari completed the front three, while Mark Bresciano, Lorik Cana and Francelino Matuzalém formed the midfield. On his debut, the Albanian midfielder confirmed his reputation as a traditional holding player, strong in the tackle and primarily focused on shielding the defence. Lazio's football became more fluid after switching to a 4-4-2, with Matuzalém once again orchestrating play through his superior vision and technical quality. Sculli, in excellent form, frequently dropped back to help Senad Lulić, who still looked uncertain defensively but increasingly confident when attacking. In the 27th minute, the Bosnian raced down the flank and delivered a left-footed cross that led to Zárate's second goal, the Argentine firing a right-footed shot into the corner. Just before half-time, however, Lazio switched off at a corner kick. Cristian Ianu rose highest to head home and reduce the deficit.

Fifteen minutes into the second half, Reja introduced what looked like his first-choice team, and within another fifteen minutes it became obvious just how much attacking potential Lazio possessed. Klose controlled and protected the ball in the middle of the Lucerne defence before laying it back to Cristian Ledesma, whose first-time left-footed pass sliced through the penalty area. Cissé controlled it brilliantly before smashing a fierce left-footed shot into the net to make it 3-1. The two marquee signings of president Claudio Lotito appeared far more in sync than in previous outings. Cissé, often drifting to the right wing, constantly searched for space to trouble the Swiss defence with his pace and direct running. In the 37th minute he delivered a perfectly weighted cross that Klose headed home with remarkable technique, almost bowing as he directed the ball into the net. It was a finish full of class from the German, who was not only ruthless in front of goal but also outstanding in creating opportunities. Deep into stoppage time he carried the ball across the pitch before laying it into the path of the onrushing Stefano Mauri, who finished across goal to complete a 5-1 victory. Lazio had scored three goals in the final half hour, underlining the formidable firepower at Reja's disposal.

Who played for Lazio

Marchetti (62' Bizzarri), Scaloni (62' Konko), Diakite (62' Biava), Stankevicius (62' Dias), Lulic (62' Garrido), Cana (62' Brocchi), Matuzalem (62' Ledesma), Bresciano (46' Foggia, 62' Cisse), Zarate (62' Hernanes), Sculli (62' Mauri), Floccari (46' Rocchi, 62' Klose)

Substitutes: Berardi, Cavanda, Stendardo, Zauri, Del Nero, Ceccarelli, Makinwa

Manager: Reja

Who played for Luzerne

Zibung, Thiesson (46' Adekunle), Fanger, Kibebe, Lustenberger (46' Hochstrasser), Kryeziu, Kukeli, Winter, Wiss (46' Siegrist), Hyka (46' Sarr), Ianu (46' Pakar)

Substitutes: Strohhammer, Pakar, Sorgic, Urtic

Manager: Yakin

Referee: De Faveri

Goals: 4’ Zarate, 27’ Zarate, 44’ Ianu, 75’ Cissé, 82’ Klose, 91’ Mauri

What happened next

At the end of the first half of the season Lazio were fifth. Champions League qualification, always the goal, was five points away and held as usual by Udinese. The Biancocelesti were around fourth place for most of the winter (they were even second at one point) and slipped behind on the 19th game. They were in third place from February until three games to the end of the Campionato. On April 29, after losing at Udine, fatal yet again for Lazio’s objectives, they were caught up in third place by Napoli, Udinese and Inter. A draw at home against Siena the next game meant that it would have to be Europa League. It was really within their reach but too many faux pas to have that consistency necessary to reach third place. So, in the end it was fourth place that, due to Napoli winning the Coppa Italia, meant that Lazio would have to face a play off in the summer to reach the 2012-13 Europa League group stage.

Lazio miraculously managed to go through the knock off stage of the Europa League only to be eliminated by a much stronger Atletico Madrid. In Coppa Italia after struggling to get past Verona in the fourth round they were eliminated by Milan in the quarterfinals.

Klose gave a good contribution to the cause with 15 goals (top scorer for the season, 12 goals in Serie A and 3 in Europa League), but Cissé struggled and was sold to QPR after only six months. To note that in the winter transfer window Lazio signed Antonio Candreva on loan for six months with an option to buy half at the end of the season.

Ledesma was the player with most appearances in the season with 47 games overall: 37 in Serie A, 2 in Coppa Italia and 8 in Europa League.

Lazio Jersey 2011-12

After 14 years of partnership with Puma, this was going to be the last season with them. So, for the occasion the jersey had a vintage taste to it. Lazio’s home and main jersey was in the light-blue colours with a white V neck.

The second and third jerseys were more particular. A white one with two golden stripes and a light blue one. And for the third jersey, like the white one but navy blue, white shoulders.

Very interesting are the two goalkeeper shirts, similar in design to the second and third jerseys but with fading colours and diagonal stripes.

Sources

Lazio Wiki

SS Lazio Museum