Rocchi's Lazio in Champions League Tuesday 28 August, 2007
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Lazio are in the Champions League after completing an extraordinary comeback
in Bucharest, beating Dinamo 3-1 with Tommaso Rocchi’s brace, 4-2 on
aggregate.
The situation was dire at half-time, trailing 1-0 and seeming like a shadow
of their former selves, but Delio Rossi's small adjustments made a massive
difference.
The Biancocelesti could not have asked for a worse lead-up to this crucial
match, having drawn the first leg 1-1 in Rome with two men sent off.
Both Massimo Mutarelli and Valon Behrami were therefore suspended.
An injury crisis also ruled out Stefano Mauri, Sebastiano Siviglia and Modibo
Diakhite, forcing Guglielmo Stendardo and Emilson Cribari to start despite
poor fitness conditions. Cribari fractured his cheekbone in the first leg
and required 18 metal screws and three plates to stabilise the break, so he
played with a protective mask.
The crowd trouble and tension surrounding the Olimpico game also meant Lazio
fans were advised not to travel to the Lia Manoliu stadium, although some did
make the trip. Surprisingly, captain Niculescu was left on the bench.
A minute’s silence before kick-off was held for Sevilla player Antonio
Puerta, who died today after a cardiac arrest.
Dinamo had the first chance after 10 minutes when Pulhac’s cross from the
left found Bratu unmarked at the back post for a free header that was
deflected out for a corner. They went even closer as Danciulescu sprung
the offside trap thanks to Stendardo’s error and Marco Ballotta made a fine
low save.
However, soon after Dinamo took the lead with a similar move. Bratu found
space down the same right flank and sprinted past the not 100 per cent fit
Stendardo to smash a fierce shot under the bar. To add insult to injury,
Stendardo seemed to suffer a new thigh injury in that move and was replaced
by Lionel Scaloni.
The Biancocelesti had a good opportunity, but Simone Del Nero’s cross was
too close to the goalkeeper. Cribari closed down a Bratu effort and, despite
his facial injury, the defender later nodded a free kick over the bar, but
Lazio needed to do a lot more if they were to turn this tie around.
The half-time talk must have worked, along with moving Del Nero out wide to
spread the Bucharest defence, as 30 seconds after the restart Nastase tripped
the former Brescia midfielder. In the first leg he missed a penalty, but
this time Rocchi buried it to draw the tie level 1-1 on the night, 2-2 on
aggregate.
Soon after, Danciulescu tried to earn a penalty for the slightest touch from
De Silvestri, but the Spanish referee was unconvinced.
Lazio had found their confidence and in the space of nine minutes turned it
all around. Rocchi took the defenders away and with a sneaky backheel left
Goran Pandev clear. The Macedonian shrugged off his one remaining marker to
place an angled drive past Bogdan Lobont.
The game was end to end now, as Bratu pounced on a Scaloni error, though the
Argentine dived back in to deflect the shot out for a corner. Christian
Manfredini gathered from Del Nero and fired over.
Gaby Mudingayi unleashed a sudden snapshot from almost 30 metres that former
Fiorentina goalkeeper Lobont fingertipped out from under the bar.
The Biancocelesti were a completely different squad and Pandev spun round on
the edge of the area for a low strike that clipped the base of the upright.
Rocchi sprung the offside trap moments later on Pandev’s through ball and
kept his cool to stroke it past Lobont with the inside of his right foot.
Dinamo did have a good chance to open the game again on 78 minutes, but Bratu
lost his focus at the crucial moment and was dispossessed in the box.
There were concerns in the closing stages as Cribari – who only underwent
surgery for a horrific facial injury less than a fortnight ago – got a
knock to the jaw, but he stayed on.
Dinamo Bucharest 1-3 Lazio (2-4 agg)
Scorers: Bratu 26 (D), Rocchi 47, 67 (L), Pandev 54 (L)
Dinamo Bucharest: Lobont; Blay, Nastase, Stefan, Pulhac; Cristea,
Margaritescu (Niculescu 59), Ropotan, Oprita (Chiacu 59); Bratu,
Danciulescu (Munteanu 72)
Lazio: Ballotta; De Silvestri, Stendardo (Scaloni 34), Cribari, Zauri;
Mudingayi, Ledesma, Manfredini; Del Nero (Belleri 86); Rocchi,
Pandev (Tare 90)
Ref: Mejuto Gonzalez (Spa)
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