Lazio survive Persian test

Season 2010-11

Pre Season Friendly

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Stadio Rodolfo Zandegiacomo, Auronzo di Cadore

Lazio Iran 1-1

Heavy-legged Lazio at least manage to draw against the Iranian visitors

Source Lazio Wiki

Today was only Lazio’s second pre-season friendly. Four days earlier they had beaten local amateurs Auronzo 9-0.

Today's opponents were traditionally one of the better Asian sides along with South Korea and Japan.

Iran had participated in three World Cups (1978, 1998 and 2006). In the Asian Cup the "Team Melli" (National team in Anglo-Persian) had triumphed three times (1968, 1972 and 1976). The all-time top scorer was Ali Daei with 109 goals (and 148 caps). Other star players were Nasser Hejazi (1968-80), Gholam Hossein Mazloumi (1969-77), Ali Parvin (1970-80), Andranik Eskandarian (1975-78), Karim Bagheri (1993-2010) and Mehdi Mahdavikia (1996-2009).

In the current squad the main players were Ehsan Hajsafi, Karim Ansarifard and Rahman Rezaei (former Perugia, Messina and Livorno)

The coach was Afshin Ghotbi.

The match

A hot day in the mountains for this not so common game between a club and a national team. The small ground was practically full.

There was an upgrade in security for the Iranians with more police than usual for a summer friendly plus extra media interest with Al Jazeera also present.

Lazio were without defender André Dias and forward Sergio Floccari plus Hernanes who had not arrived yet (he would officially be announced on August 6).

Before kick off a minute's silence was observed to honour the passing of Lazio player Gonzalo Barreto's mother.

The game started with the Iranians a lot more energetic than the Romans. It was expected as Lazio had only started training ten days earlier.

In the 5th minute Nouri tried his luck from a distance but his shot was wide.

In the 13th minute the "Persian lions" scored. A hesitation between Guglielmo Stendardo and Stefan Radu allowed Khalatbari to unleash a low cross goal shot from just outside the area which beat Tommaso Berni. Lazio 0 Iran 1.

Lazio were slow and mechanical but in the 23rd minute had a freekick about 35 metres from goal. Cristian Ledesma went for a shot but the keeper punched it away.

In the 27th minute Simone Del Nero put in an inviting cross but there was no-one there to meet it.

On the half hour Radu was sloppy and lost possession and trying to remedy committed a dirty tackle which in a more competitive game could have earned him an early shower.

In the 34th minute Mauro Zarate showed his skills and set up Tommaso Rocchi but the Venetian was anticipated at the last second by Nouri.

In the 37th minute Iran had three chances in one but Berni was always alert.

Bad news for Lazio in the 38th minute as Rocchi hobbled off with a muscular injury to his left thigh and was replaced by Libor Kozák.

In the 40th minute Zarate had an effort saved with his feet by Rahmati.

Tempers flared in the 44th minute as Cristian Brocchi and Stendardo got involved in some pushing and shoving with two Iranian midfielders. There followed some rough tackles leading up to half time.

A poor first half by the Biancocelesti who were deservedly one nil down.

The Iranians made two substitutions at the break while Lazio continued in their original 11 for now.

Lazio looked livelier now. In the 50th minute Kozák went close with a header from a good cross by Pintos.

In the 60th minute Lazio made nine substitutions in one go!

Tension rose between the two sides and in the 66th minute Riccardo Perpetuini and Nouri looked close to a punch up.

Two minutes later Lazio had a huge chance. Perpetuini crossed a long distance freekick into the box where Emilson Cribari had timed his run well and with the inside of his right foot shot towards goal but a defender acrobatically cleared it off the goal line.

In the 71st minute the "Team Melli" made their third change as Mobali came on for Hadadifar.

In the 76th minute Lazio went extremely close again but Rahmati pulled off an excellent save on a long range shot by Zarate.

In the 78th minute Modibo Diakité went on one of his famous solo runs out of defence but after beating five opponents was not precise with his last touch, something between a shot and a cross.

Lazio equalised in the 82nd minute. After a scramble in the area, and an unsuccessful clearance by a defender, Mark Bresciano was the quickest to react and beat Rahmani. Lazio 1 Iran 1.

A minute later Iran made their fourth and last substitution as Rezai replaced Khalatbari.

In the 89th minute Lazio almost won it but, following another good run by Diakité, Kozak was beaten to the ball by Nouri. Final score Lazio 1 Iran 1.

A positive test in the end for Lazio. The Iranians were in much better physical shape than the Italians. After a sluggish start Lazio had played better in the second half, also helped by replacing almost the whole team. The negative fact was the injury to Rocchi.

Lazio would now have further friendlies against Vicenza, Belluno, Al-Nassr, Racing Santander, Levante and Deportivo La Coruña before starting their Serie A campaign away to Sampdoria at the end of August.

Who played for Lazio

Berni (60' Bizzarri), Biava (60' Cavanda), Stendardo (60' Cribari), Radu (60' Diakité), Pintos (60' Zauri), Brocchi (60' Scaloni), Ledesma (60' Bresciano), Mauri (60' Perpetuini), Del Nero (60' Matuzalém), Rocchi (38' Kozak), Zarate

Substitutes: Lichtsteiner

Manager: Reja

Who played for Iran

Rahmati, Nosrati (46' Zanidpour), Nouri, Hadadifar (71' Mobali) Khalatbari (83' Rezai), Hydari, Aghili, Hussain, Ashobi, Hajsafi, Norouzi (46' Ansarifard)

Substitutes: Gordan, Haghighi, M. Hussani, Omranzadeha, Ashjari, Maydavodi, Mizrapour

Manager: Ghotbi

Referee: Marcolin

Goals: 13' Khalatbari, 82' Bresciano

Sources

Lazio Wiki