Rossi plans Juve ambush
Saturday 17 December, 2005
Lazio boss Delio Rossi believes that attack will be their best form of defence against Juventus this evening, but the fans have turned on Paolo Di Canio.
“We are playing against a side that has been putting its all into every game for the last 20 years,” warned the Coach when asked if Juve would be taking their foot off the gas.
“It’s silly to sit back and hope they lose concentration. We must put ourselves out there and attack them, then see what kind of match it turns into.”
The Biancocelesti can count on a solid home record, as they are unbeaten in the capital since a 1-0 loss to Udinese on May 8, going on to win six and draw four.
“If you start a game with the intention of defending, then you will end up on the losing side,” added the former Atalanta boss. “We will try to make the most of the opportunities we create. I think Christian Manfredini will replace Cesar Aparecido on the left flank.”
There was bad news this week, as Cesar has been ruled out for a month after suffering a left thigh strain during a practice test.
Lazio has also been the centre of controversy following Paolo Di Canio’s Roman salute to the fans. The club has stuck by him and there were even claims he would be handed the captain’s armband for the big clash with Juventus.
“It is a shame that this story has been dragged on throughout the week,” noted Rossi. “Di Canio will not be the captain, because these things need to be decided within the locker room and not after pressure from the outside.”
The veteran is nonetheless set to start upfront alongside Tommaso Rocchi, although there is growing uneasiness among the Biancocelesti faithful. Lazio fans have a reputation for their far-right political views, but a group of supporters released a statement on their website condemning Di Canio’s behaviour.
“We confirm our condemnation of a gesture that does not represent us or the majority of the fans,” explained an editorial on Lazio.net. “We were not founded by Fascist dictators. Di Canio may think he’s saluting his people, but that does not include us."
"He needs to remember that every time he wears the Biancocelesti jersey, he is representing all of us and not just a small section that is determined to spread hate and political mind-games. We will not accept the oldest club in the capital being associated with the darkest page in our country’s history.”