I was holding out writing this week’s club focus in the hope that Coppa Italia glory would cover up a shambolic performance against Chievo last weekend.
The Flying Donkeys managed to end Lazio’s run of 16 matches without defeat thanks to a second half strike from Alberto Paloschi.
Lazio struggled to gather any sort of momentum throughout the match, and leaving Hernanes and Mauri on the bench, a central midfield trio of Ledesma, Gonzalez and Brocchi were unable to create anything significant for lone striker Sergio Floccari.
The goal from Paloschi came against the run of play, but maybe the result was written on the wall before it had even kicked off. Having not beaten Chievo at home since late 2003, matters were made even worse when Olimpia the eagle wouldn’t take her traditional pre-match flight.
Confidence had taken a hit going into a vital Coppa Italia semi-final second leg against Juventus midweek. Despite grabbing a late away goal in Turin, the Bianconeri were still favourites to pass through to the final.
A huge crowd at the Stadio Olimpico got right behind the team from the whistle, and the atmosphere was immense. It was going to be a tough task of qualifying as Juventus held most of the possession in the early stages. Taking the game to Lazio straight away saw Mirko Vucinic felled in the box in what looked like a certain penalty.
As the game advanced, so did Lazio. Seeing the first half out without conceding, Lazio took the lead in the 51st minute through Alvaro Gonzalez, superbly assisted by Cristian Ledesma. Late drama saw Juventus deservedly equalise, only to see Lazio find a winner just two minutes later
It was an evening of sincere emotion and not one the fans will forget in a hurry. Lazio will now face either AS Roma or Inter in the final.
Gonzalez told the media after the match that, “Today, in an important game, it was the goal that turned the game for us. It was a tough match, but we knew it would be. They have good players and they were played well, but I think we deserved to go through.
“The full stadium pumped us up so much and the visiting teams suffer from it. I hope we can count on it. I want Roma [in the final]. Winning the derby for the cup would be a wonderful, unforgettable experience for our fans.”
Defeat to Chievo last weekend left Lazio six points adrift of league leaders Juventus, and three behing second placed Napoli. Petkovic and his men travel to Genoa on Sunday in what has the ingredients to be a tricky encounter. Newly appointed coach Davide Ballardini saw his side take a point away from the Juventus Stadium on Saturday, and will be confident of overcoming Lazio this weekend.
Lazio’s only notable arrival in the transfer market was Bruno Pereirinha from Sporting. The right wing-back is merely a replacement for the ageing Lionel Scaloni who has left for Atalanta. The 24-year-old can play any position on the right, and signed on a free transfer for three and a half years. There was high hopes of signing Felipe Anderson from Santos until a mix-up with paperwork meant that it couldnt be completed in time.
Giuseppe Sculli and Luciano Zauri departed the Biancocelesti very late in the window, both joining Pescara. Goalkeeper Juan Pablo Carizzo has also left the club for a new adventure with Inter.
Without any other significant activity, it does ask the question as to where Lazio can finish the season. Fans were left livid with the debacle surrounding Felipe Anderson, and are now wondering if Lazio will fall short once again in the race for a third place finish.
Follow Ben on Twitter: @Lazio_UK
