Lazio triumph on penalties and win Coppa Italia

By: Francesco | May 14th, 2009

Both sides went into this game knowing it would define their season. Both sides basically had the exact situation. They both performed under expectations this season, and both have managers that don’t really look like they will be in charge next season. Also, because of their poor season, both clubs were looking for a backdoor into Europe. Both sides were at full strength and the Stadio Olimpico was packed with mostly Lazio fans as expected but the Samp fans really did turn as well. There were around 20,000 of them sitting in the Curva Sud and they were color coordinated with Sampdoria’s colors. It was a great atmosphere.

I won’t go into details of the game, because by now you probably all know the result and catch watch the highlight video I’m posting. But the squads were even for most of the match and both sides were really afraid to lose, which lead to penalty kicks. Both sides had their spells of domination, even though the second half was mostly all Lazio. Mauro Zarate showed all his skill and his superstar potential with his goal and overall play, while Antonio Cassano was never served well and couldn’t really make a big impact on the game, although he started the play for Sampdoria’s equalizer. Giampaolo Pazzini also had a big game, scoring a great goal and fighting like a warrior for 120 minutes.

And of course, football always has it’s redemption stories. Fernando Muslera last season looked like one of the worst signings ever made in Italian football history, but this season he has played brilliantly and became the hero of the penalty shootout, stopping Cassano’s and Campagnaro’s penalties.

So what does the win mean for Lazio? Well, the Biancocelesti finally have a project to build upon. They have an exciting young superstar-in-the-making in Mauro Zarate who really is a joy to watch along with a nice mix of veterans and young players that when on form are a really good side. With a few more good signings this summer Lazio can make a big case next season to become a regular top 6 side. Although the only uncertainty remains manager Delio Rossi. His contract expires on June 30th and reports earlier in the year were that there was a 90% chance he would be leaving this summer. Then when Lazio qualified for the Coppa final it was said if he lost he would be on his way out. Even with the win though, it doesn’t look like he really resolved his differences with Claudio Lotito and there’s still a good chance he won’t be managing Lazio next season. Maybe the tears he cried after the win were because he knew he would never experience something like this again? I think it’s now at 70/30 that he leaves.

What does the loss mean for Sampdoria? The loss signifies a very disappointing season for the blucerchiati. Last season Samp were in contention for a Champions League spot until the very last days of the season, and this year they have just been a mediocre mid-table side. Yes, they lost Christian Maggio from last season but overall the squad was not changed and they should’ve done a lot better. Walter Mazzarri is a good young manager who has a bright future but it remains to be seen if he will be in charge next season. At times his insistence on playing the 3-5-2 hurts the squad, and his player selection at times is questionable. Last year Samp played flowing football, the squad would attack and defend with ease. This year the team doesn’t have a style of play. For most of the year it has been “give the ball to Cassano and let’s hope he does something”, and as brilliant a player Cassano is he can’t do it all, he needs help. In regards to Cassano, we’ll now see how loyal he is to Sampdoria this summer. Now fully rehabilitated and back to his old self, does he really want to stick around another year in Genoa where there will be no European football or does he want to challenge himself and make the move to a bigger side in hopes to impress Mr. Lippi? I think at the moment it’s 50/50. Cassano owes a lot to Sampdoria but Sampdoria also owe a lot to Cassano. If there’s a good project in place next season (with maybe Roberto Mancini taking the helm) he could stay but there’s also a chance he could leave.

Finally, with Lazio winning silverware this season, of course they had to poke fun at their Giallorosso cousins. They made t-shirts that have a picture of Zarate celebrating and Totti crying and it says “Zarate Campione, e tu Zero Titoli” (Zarate is a champion, and you have no titles). Here’s a picture of Dabo wearing the t-shirt.

HIGHLIGHTS