AT STAKE
A delicious encounter takes place at the Stadio Olympico this Saturday as Lazio host an in-form Milan. But, there is much more than just a contest that this encounter symbolizes. It marks the return of Alessandro Nesta to Lazio for the first time since his summer move to Milan.
Lazio and Milan have had some memorable games in the past, most notably the stunning 4-4 draw played out a few seasons ago at this very venue. But, this time the teams are in very different positions. While Ancelotti's Milan are on a high, trying to establish themselves as the foremost team in Europe, Mancini's Lazio are struggling with financial problems and a loss of form.
Nonetheless, the encounter is touted to be one hell of a game as Lazio have already declared their game plan. "We respect them, but do not fear them," Lazio midfielder Fiore said. Roberto Mancini has told his boys that if they let Milan dictate the terms of play on the pitch, Lazio are going to lose. "We will attack them and not let them dominate us," he said.
With the biancocelesti displaying such a positive attitude, this one promises to be a cracker.
TEAM NEWS
Roberto Mancini is missing influential playmaker Fabio Liverani, around who most of his game plan revolves. He has had to change his formation to accommodate for the former Perugia player's absence and as it often happens, the team has suffered. Mancini will field the 4-4-2 again with Jaap Stam and a rather over-the-hill Mihajlovic forming the central partnership. Skipper Favalli and Paolo Negro will take their places on the wings. Up front Lopez partners Pippo Inzaghi's younger brother, Simone, in attack and Bernardo Corradi is relegated to the bench. Stankovic, Simeone, Giannichedda and Fiore will play in a flat midfield.
Carlo Ancelotti is still without Shevchenko, Helveg, Roque Jr., and Chamot. But, Christian Abbiati is fully fit and may just get the nod ahead of Dida (who has also been in good form). Ancelotti is reportedly planning to rest a few players, namely Rui Costa, Pirlo and maybe even Seedorf. This will mean that Massimo Ambrosini will start in midfield while Rivaldo will get his first start as playmaker (alternatively Ancelotti may choose to rest him and play Rui Costa). The near invincible Simic, Nesta, Maldini, Kaladze defensive quartet continues its business while at the other end Jon Dahl Tomasson gets his third successive Serie A start alongside on-fire Inzaghi.
FORM GUIDE
Lazio: LWW
Lazio are slowly getting breaking into the new season. And, only three official games later, they are showing signs of emotional recovery after the departures of Hernan Crespo and Alessandro Nesta to Inter and Milan respectively. Mancini's side lost on the opening day to Chievo Verona and even though they have beaten Greek side Xanthi 4-0 since then, they are not in top shape for sure.
Milan: WLWWWW
Milan's form has been phenomenal. As with all Italian teams, they struggled to cope with the late league start and lost to Slovan in Liberec. But, since then they have grown in both form and confidence and they have been absolutely merciless on their opposition, their latest triumph being the stunning 4-0 thumping of Deportivo in Spain. They have won four straight games, scoring 12 times in the process and conceding just one goal!
PROBABLE LINEUPS
Lazio (4-4-2): Peruzzi; Negro, Stam, Mihajlovic, Favalli; Stankovic, Simeone, Giannichedda, Fiore; S. Inzaghi, Lopez
Milan (4-3-1-2): Dida; Simic, Nesta, Maldini, Kaladze; Gattuso, Ambrosini, Seedorf; Rivaldo; Tomasson, F. Inzaghi
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Diego Simeone (Lazio): Written off as a has-been by many before the season, the Argentine veteran has been priceless for the biancocelesti at the start of this season. He has already scored in both of Lazio's Serie A fixtures and proved to be a true leader and asset to his coach.
Alessandro Nesta (Milan): All eyes will be on Alessandro Nesta when he returns to what promises to be a memorable reception one way or another. "I know there will be those that will whistle me, but I hope that the applause will drown out the whistles," said a nostalgic Nesta when asked about his feelings about the weekend's fixture.
A delicious encounter takes place at the Stadio Olympico this Saturday as Lazio host an in-form Milan. But, there is much more than just a contest that this encounter symbolizes. It marks the return of Alessandro Nesta to Lazio for the first time since his summer move to Milan.
Lazio and Milan have had some memorable games in the past, most notably the stunning 4-4 draw played out a few seasons ago at this very venue. But, this time the teams are in very different positions. While Ancelotti's Milan are on a high, trying to establish themselves as the foremost team in Europe, Mancini's Lazio are struggling with financial problems and a loss of form.
Nonetheless, the encounter is touted to be one hell of a game as Lazio have already declared their game plan. "We respect them, but do not fear them," Lazio midfielder Fiore said. Roberto Mancini has told his boys that if they let Milan dictate the terms of play on the pitch, Lazio are going to lose. "We will attack them and not let them dominate us," he said.
With the biancocelesti displaying such a positive attitude, this one promises to be a cracker.
TEAM NEWS
Roberto Mancini is missing influential playmaker Fabio Liverani, around who most of his game plan revolves. He has had to change his formation to accommodate for the former Perugia player's absence and as it often happens, the team has suffered. Mancini will field the 4-4-2 again with Jaap Stam and a rather over-the-hill Mihajlovic forming the central partnership. Skipper Favalli and Paolo Negro will take their places on the wings. Up front Lopez partners Pippo Inzaghi's younger brother, Simone, in attack and Bernardo Corradi is relegated to the bench. Stankovic, Simeone, Giannichedda and Fiore will play in a flat midfield.
Carlo Ancelotti is still without Shevchenko, Helveg, Roque Jr., and Chamot. But, Christian Abbiati is fully fit and may just get the nod ahead of Dida (who has also been in good form). Ancelotti is reportedly planning to rest a few players, namely Rui Costa, Pirlo and maybe even Seedorf. This will mean that Massimo Ambrosini will start in midfield while Rivaldo will get his first start as playmaker (alternatively Ancelotti may choose to rest him and play Rui Costa). The near invincible Simic, Nesta, Maldini, Kaladze defensive quartet continues its business while at the other end Jon Dahl Tomasson gets his third successive Serie A start alongside on-fire Inzaghi.
FORM GUIDE
Lazio: LWW
Lazio are slowly getting breaking into the new season. And, only three official games later, they are showing signs of emotional recovery after the departures of Hernan Crespo and Alessandro Nesta to Inter and Milan respectively. Mancini's side lost on the opening day to Chievo Verona and even though they have beaten Greek side Xanthi 4-0 since then, they are not in top shape for sure.
Milan: WLWWWW
Milan's form has been phenomenal. As with all Italian teams, they struggled to cope with the late league start and lost to Slovan in Liberec. But, since then they have grown in both form and confidence and they have been absolutely merciless on their opposition, their latest triumph being the stunning 4-0 thumping of Deportivo in Spain. They have won four straight games, scoring 12 times in the process and conceding just one goal!
PROBABLE LINEUPS
Lazio (4-4-2): Peruzzi; Negro, Stam, Mihajlovic, Favalli; Stankovic, Simeone, Giannichedda, Fiore; S. Inzaghi, Lopez
Milan (4-3-1-2): Dida; Simic, Nesta, Maldini, Kaladze; Gattuso, Ambrosini, Seedorf; Rivaldo; Tomasson, F. Inzaghi
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Diego Simeone (Lazio): Written off as a has-been by many before the season, the Argentine veteran has been priceless for the biancocelesti at the start of this season. He has already scored in both of Lazio's Serie A fixtures and proved to be a true leader and asset to his coach.
Alessandro Nesta (Milan): All eyes will be on Alessandro Nesta when he returns to what promises to be a memorable reception one way or another. "I know there will be those that will whistle me, but I hope that the applause will drown out the whistles," said a nostalgic Nesta when asked about his feelings about the weekend's fixture.
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The Nestas should lighten up... 
