"The Wall" by Pink Palermo
Game 4, Serie A
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Lazio - Palermo 0-0
Lazio blocked by visitors' defensive set up but also risk to capitulate on the break
In Serie A Lazio had so far played 3 games with a 2-2 away draw with Milan on their debut, a 1-2 home defeat to Genoa and then a 2-1 away win at Cesena. An up and down start to their league.
So far in Serie A Palermo had beaten Inter 4-3 at home on debut, lost 0-1 at Atalanta and beaten Cagliari 3-2 at home.
A difficult match to call today between two unpredictable sides.
The match
A hot day and a 3 pm kick off in Rome attracted about 30,000 to the Olimpico.
Lazio were without defenders Stefan Radu and Giuseppe Biava plus injured midfielders Stefano Mauri and Alvaro Gonzalez. Cristian Ledesma and Hernanes were playing but not completely match fit.
Palermo were missing defender Andrea Mantovani while forward Fabrizio Miccoli was surprisingly only on the bench.
The game started at a bland pace with both sides cautious. The game was played mainly in midfield although the Palermo keeper had to be on his toes first on a long range Djibril Cissè strike and then on Hernanes.
Lazio attacked more but Palermo seemed pleased to sit back and wait for their chance. One came with Mauricio Pinilla who scored but the linesman's flag was up for offside.
Palermo were extremely organised and Lazio had huge difficulty in finding spaces up front.
The visitors defended but were quick to counter attack. In the 15th minute Federico Marchetti dived superbly to deny Pinilla from scoring.
Lazio constantly hit a pink wall not helped by Senad Lulic and Abdoulay Konko not pushing on the flanks.
Palermo absorbed Lazio's pressure and had Hernandez constantly ready to use his speed on the break.
Before half time the Sicilians twice went close to taking the lead. Marchetti had to be reactive twice in three minutes, first on Abel Hernandez and then on Pinilla. At the interval: Lazio 0 Palermo 0.
The Rosanero had tactically outmanoeuvred Lazio so far.
Something had to change so Reja took off Lorik Cana and threw on a far more dynamic Cristian Brocchi. Mangia was more than satisfied and left his team unchanged.
Things improved immediately for Lazio who were more aggressive and energetic. The Biancocelesti had chances with Cissė and Hernanes but were off target.
At this point the visitors saw the game changing and put on fresh legs by replacing Nicolaa Bertolo with Afriyie Acquah.
The pattern did not change with Palermo solid and efficient but Lazio now managed to create more chances. They devoured two opportunities, first Miro Klose was only two metres from goal but hesitated and was anticipated by Federico Balzaretti and some minutes later Cissè missed an open goal after the keeper had blocked Klose.
This was Lazio's best moment and in the 64th minute Mangia took off Pinilla and brought on Josip Ilicic. The Slovenian was immediately dangerous, he freed himself at the edge of the box with a clever backheel and then let loose a precise left foot which Marchetti did extremely well to block.
Lazio then went close with a Hernanes free kick and soon after Eros Pisano risked an own goal but Alexandros Tzorvas produced a superb save. The game stagnated in midfield for a while.
Lazio replaced a tired Hernanes with Beppe Sculli for a final onslaught but Palermo regrouped and closed all the gaps well. They made one more change to interrupt Lazio's pressure, substituting Eran Zahavi with Armin Bacinovic in the 89th minute.
Cissè then had a good volley but Tzorvas was ready again.
Lazio had one more chance to steal the three points. The Palermo defence finally blundered but Klose was not able to finish off a loose ball bouncing in the area. Final score: Lazio 0 Palermo 0.
A typical, very tactical Serie A game. Palermo were set up well and very disciplined, sticking meticulously to their game plan. Lazio were too slow and predictable in the first half with the forwards too far from goal. Things improved in the second half but Palermo stood firm, helped by a safe performance by their Greek keeper and always ready to punish Lazio on the break.
Lazio remained in mid-table on 5 points while Palermo were joint 3rd on 7 points. Next up was a trip to Florence for Lazio and a home game against Siena for Palermo.
Who played for Lazio
Marchetti, Konko, Diakité, Dias, Lulic, Ledesma, Cana (46' Brocchi), Matuzalem, Hernanes (76' Sculli), Cissè, Klose
Substitutes: Bizzarri, Scaloni, Stankevicius, Rocchi, Kozak
Manager: Reja
Who played for Palermo
Tzorvas, Pisano, Silvestre, Migliaccio, Balzaretti, Bertolo (59' Acquah), Barreto, Della Rocca, Zahavi (89' Bacinovic), Hernandez, Pinilla (64' Ilicic)
Substitutes: Benussi, Aguirregaray, Munoz, Miccoli
Manager: Mangia
Referee: Gervasoni
Sources
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