Coppa: In the Absence of Frey, There Will Be Goals

By: Martha | January 25th, 2008

Pazzini (Notice that topical movie reference? Has anyone seen There Will Be Blood? Is it any good?) Sorry, I digress. Lazio’s 2-1 home win against Fiorentina was just what the Roman sided needed to keep a little hope in their season, and despite giving up a precious away goal, they’ll be relieved not to have given away more during the Viola-dominated second half.

Both teams played a mix of first-choice and squad players, including their keepers: Running the risk of violating child labor laws, Lazio started Fernando Muslera, while Fiorentina rested Sebastian Frey (either that or he was out buying a house) in favor of the always scary Cristiano Lupatelli. In front of those keepers, neither team was particularly sharp early, and the strange atmosphere of the a cavernous, nearly empty Olimpico didn’t exactly help to spur anyone on to greatness.

Eventually, though, it was Lazio who took the lead in the 19th minute, through Aleksandar Kolarov’s 30-yard free kick. Kolarov’s first attempted was called back because of encroachment by the Viola defense, and his second, despite moving very little in the air, totally befuddled Lupatelli, who pulled a Dida and went in completely the wrong direction as the ball flew into the net. Don’t get me wrong — Kolarov struck the ball well, but I daresay a certain Frenchman would have saved it with minimal drama. Then, less than a minute later, it was two, thanks to Valon Behrami (Two matches in a row without injury!), who showed his joy at being a midfielder again by controlling a long ball well and siding it past Lupatelli at the near post.

Fiorentina finally started to play in the last five minutes of the half and almost immediately pulled a goal back: A nice team move ended with Adrian Mutu playing Giampaolo Pazzini in, and the ~~princess~~ striker let the ball cross his body and guided it first-time past Muslera. It was a great finish, and something Pazzini needs to show more of when he gets his chances in Serie A, if the Viola are going to stay in the top four.

Coming out the way they’d gone into the locker room, the visitors totally dominated the second half but were unable to make their possession count, partially because Pazzini returned to normal form and missed two great chances, including one from six yards which he somehow managed to put over. Still, though, a one-goal deficit isn’t in any way insurmountable for the Viola and, by the same token, Lazio must be thrilled to have a lead going into the second leg. Depending on who both coaches end up playing next week, the match could be a good one — and, hey, I bet Rolando Bianchi will be there!