Pandev-Rocchi not enough

Dag Jenkins
Aug 25, 2023
4 min read

Season 2007-08

Game 1, Serie A

Saturday, August 25, 2007

Stadio Olimpico, Rome

Lazio Torino 2-2

On a boiling late afternoon Lazio come from behind but are then held to a draw by Torino

Lazio had already played the Champions League preliminary round home leg against Dinamo Bucharest, drawing 1-1. The return leg would be on August 28.

Today was the first Serie A fixture. Considering recent history Lazio were favourites but there was also the risk the Biancocelesti could have the important upcoming Champions League game in the back of their minds.

The match: Saturday, August 25, 2007, Stadio Olimpico, Rome

A Saturday 6 p.m. kick-off and it was a sweltering afternoon with a temperature of 42 degrees. There was not a big crowd, about 25,000.

Lazio were without defender Sebastiano Siviglia plus midfielders Valon Behrami and Stefano Mauri.

Torino played with eight of their new signings but had absences in defenders Paolo Dellafiore and Marco Motta, midfielder Nikola Lazetić plus forwards Alvaro Recoba, Roberto Stellone and Davide Di Michele.

Lazio were well on top in the first ten minutes and in the 8th Matteo Sereni was called into action on a dangerous Tommaso Rocchi header.

Torino however weathered the brief early storm and reorganised. In the 19th minute, following a Luciani Zauri mistake, Simone Barone wasted a good chance.

In the 22nd minute Toro were forced into their first substitution as Vincenzo Grella went off with a head injury and on came Paolo Zanetti.

In the 28th minute Lazio threatened again with a Simone Del Nero low cross goal effort but Sereni stretched out and saved.

In the 32nd minute Lazio too suffered an injury as Aleksandar Kolarov limped off with a muscular strain and Lionel Scaloni took his place.

The future Argentina manager had not even warmed up and in the 34th minute he gifted the ball to Alessandro Rosina who then beautifully chipped Marco Ballotta from the edge of the box to give the Granata the lead, 0-1.

Lazio were then unlucky to lose another defender to injury, Modibo Diakitè in the 41st minute, but this time it was more serious and a suspected broken shinbone. Emílson Cribari raced on to play in central defence.

A minute later Sereni made his best save so far as he denied a powerful Cristian Ledesma effort. Half time Lazio 0 Torino 1.

A slightly flattering score line for the visitors but Sereni had been excellent.

The second half saw Lazio start strongly as they pushed forward. Goran Pandev was particularly lively and in the 53rd minute scored a perfectly regular goal but Griselli the linesman inexplicably had his flag up.

In the 56th minute however the Macedonian got the equaliser. Rocchi started the move, the ball reached Gaby Mudingayi who attempted something between a shot and a cross but it was deflected, it reached Pandev in the heart of the area and his left foot beat Sereni, 1-1.

In the 59th minute Toro took off Saša Bjelanovic and put on Tommaso Vailatti.

Lazio were now on a high and insisted. In the 61st minute Rocchi put the Biancocelesti in front with a low, precise strike into the right hand corner from just outside the area, 2-1.

At this point the Granata took off Cesare Natali and threw on Matteo Rubin.

Torino then scored with a Vailatti header but the referee had already blown for a push by Nicola Ventola. Lazio however had not learned their lesson and in the 68th minute left Vailatti completely unmarked in the box to head past Ballotta, 2-2.

Lazio tried adding inventiveness and fresh legs by fielding Mourad Meghni for Del Nero from the 71st minute.

Lazio attacked but the heat and lack of match fitness took their toll and they were never dangerous. Even the extra man in the last six minutes, for a second yellow for Gianluca Comotto, could give them the extra gear necessary to get a winner. Final score Lazio 2 Torino 2.

A disappointing result for Lazio who would have deserved the win. They had 13 shots to 4 and a goal unjustly disallowed but ultimately defensive distractions had cost them. In the last twenty minutes or so the uncomfortable heat had then prevented either team from giving their best.

Next up was the crucial trip to Bucharest.

Who played for Lazio

Ballotta, De Silvestri, Diakité (41' Cribari), Zauri, Kolarov (32' Scaloni), Mudingayi, Ledesma, Mutarelli, Del Nero (71' Meghni), Rocchi, Pandev