Pandev and Rocchi Lead Lazio to a Comfortable Cup Victory

Simon Basten
Aug 20, 2023
4 min read

Season 2006-07

Coppa Italia 1st Round

Sunday, August 20, 2006

Stadio Flaminio, Rome

Lazio Rende 4-0

Pandev and Rocchi struck twice as Delio Rossi's side opened the season with a convincing victory, while teenage defender De Silvestri capped the night with a spectacular first senior goal.

Lazio had played a number of pre-season friendlies, probably the most difficult was against Ipswich Town in the UK where they won 2-0.

Today was the first official game of the season, the first round of Coppa Italia against Rende.

The match

Lazio began the 2006/07 season with a convincing 4-0 victory over Rende in the first round of the Coppa Italia, returning to the Stadio Flaminio for the first time in 16 years.

There was a sense of a new beginning around the Biancocelesti. The previous season had ended in the chaos of Calciopoli, with Lazio facing a significant points deduction and the uncertainty that surrounded the club's future. Yet, as Delio Rossi's team walked onto the Flaminio pitch on 20 August, there was already evidence that the side was capable of putting the turmoil behind it.

Around 15,000 supporters were present to watch Lazio's first official match of the campaign, and they were rewarded with a comfortable victory.

The most encouraging signs came from the attack.

Goran Pandev and Tommaso Rocchi immediately looked in excellent form, combining pace, movement and clinical finishing to cause constant problems for the Rende defence. The pair would eventually provide three of Lazio's four goals, while promising young defender Lorenzo De Silvestri completed the scoring with a spectacular strike.

The opening stages, however, were more competitive than the final score suggested.

Rende, a Serie C2 side, arrived determined to make life difficult for their more illustrious opponents and for around 20 minutes managed to hold their own. Lazio controlled possession but struggled to create clear opportunities as Rende defended with discipline.

Then Pandev changed the game.

In the 21st minute, the Macedonian forward collected the ball, drove through the middle and created space for himself just outside the penalty area. He finished the move with a precise low left-footed shot that found the corner of the net.

It was an individual goal that demonstrated exactly why Pandev was becoming such an important part of Lazio's attack.

The goal settled the Biancocelesti, and the second followed shortly afterwards.

In the 34th minute, Rocchi pounced on a disastrous defensive mistake. A misplaced back-pass left the Rende defence exposed, and the Lazio striker reacted instantly. He raced onto the loose ball before calmly lifting his finish beyond goalkeeper Rocco Pellegrino.

Lazio were 2-0 ahead, and the match was beginning to move decisively in their favour.

Rocchi had the opportunity to add another before half-time, but the Rende goalkeeper redeemed himself.

In the 36th minute, Pandev was brought down inside the penalty area after being played through on goal. The referee awarded a penalty and sent off Massimo Morelli for denying a clear scoring opportunity. Rocchi stepped forward to take the spot-kick. His effort, however, was saved by Pellegrino.

The missed penalty did little to change the overall picture. Rende were down to ten men, and Lazio had established complete control.

At half-time, Rossi's side had a two-goal advantage and a numerical superiority.

The second half became increasingly one-sided.

Lazio continued to attack, although the players occasionally lacked the sharpness required to convert their opportunities. The hosts were already creating enough chances to extend their lead, but Rende goalkeeper Pellegrino remained busy.

Rocchi eventually found his second goal of the evening in the 57th minute.

The striker reacted quickly to a short rebound from the Rende goalkeeper and finished from close range. Having missed from the penalty spot earlier, Rocchi made no mistake this time.

His second goal completed an impressive individual performance and demonstrated the instincts that had made him one of Lazio's most reliable forwards.

Rossi then introduced Lorenzo De Silvestri, an 18-year-old defender who had emerged as one of the club's most promising young players.

The teenager immediately made an impression.

In the 67th minute, De Silvestri collected the ball and embarked on an adventurous run before unleashing a powerful right-footed shot from outside the penalty area.

The strike was unstoppable.

It was a superb goal from the young defender and an appropriate way to complete the scoring. De Silvestri's performance was one of the highlights of the evening, offering Lazio supporters a glimpse of a player who could have an important future at the club.

The final 4-0 scoreline was emphatic, but the match also provided Rossi with several other reasons for optimism.

The new midfield partnership of Cristian Ledesma and Massimo Mutarelli performed encouragingly. Ledesma, still perhaps lacking some physical sharpness, nevertheless showed the personality required to take control of the midfield and dictate the tempo of the game.

After all the uncertainty of the summer, the message from the Flaminio was simple. Lazio were ready to move forward.

Who played for Lazio

Ballotta, Zauri, Cribari, Stendardo, Siviglia (59' De Silvestri), Mauri, Ledesma (74' Mudingayi), Mutarelli, Belleri, Pandev (69' Tare), Rocchi