By Anna Italia


                                   FC INTER  0 - 0  LAZIO

Substitutions: 39' Luis Figo out, Bolzoni in                 60' Behrami out, Mutarelli in
                     75' Luis Jimenez out, Siligard in            81' Dabo out, Manfredini in
                     79' Solari out, Esteban Cambiasso in     90' Goran Pandev out, Tare in

Unbelievable!!!!! What happened to Inter?  Did they run out of gas? 

Lazio managed to BLOCK Inter at the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium in the Coppa Italia Semifinal!!!!  A shocking goalless results for Inter fans at the Meazza. 

                

                    This is the starting lineup of INTER with Toldo as goalkeeper with
                                Strikers Hernan Crespo and David Suazo

I watched the match in the Italian Channel RAI INTERNATIONAL and also followed it in Radio Spazio Aperto.  I could not believe how well Lazio was playing in the first half.  Gee, like many, I thought INTER was going to beat Lazio. Yet, surprise.... Lazio put a strong front. 

I am only happy for Inter goalkeeper Francesco Toldo because he barely gets a chance to play.  Here, at least, he proved Roberto Mancini that he can count on him too not only on "star goalkeeper Julio Cesar."

Click the TV screen to watch the highlights of Inter - Lazio




Too bad Inter midfielder Portuguese Luis Figo had to leave the field for injury.




  Coach Roberto Mancini was forced to make his first substitution in the 31st minute.  Figo out, and the young Francesco Bolzoni gets his opportunity to show his talent.




Inter almost scored in the first half with Crespo.  In the 42nd minute, striker David Suazo sends a pass to Hernan Crespo only to be saved by Lazio goalkeeper Marco Ballotta.



The big headache for Inter came in the second half.  Lazio scored in the 77th minute with Mauri after an assist from a free kick by Ledesma. Yet, the goal was ruled out for offside!  Can you imagine what would have happened?  Wow.... Lazio almost beat Inter. 

It surprised me to see that Inter coach Roberto Mancini  made his 3 substitutions only in the "midfield." Too bad the midfield could not provide effective passes for strikers to open the score. 

Here is Inter defender Marco Materazzi FLYING  while Lazio goalkeeper Ballotta observes to avoid a goal.



I also wonder why Lazio Coach Delio Rossi waited until the 90th minute to substitute striker Goran Pandev  for Tare?  If Pandev was not working, he should have substituted him before.  You don't wait until the very last minutes to make a change, especially if you NEED TO SCORE.

Any way, chances for Lazio to beat Inter at the Olimpico are quite high.  I think they can do it.  If Catania beat Roma at the Angelo Massimino stadium on May 7 by 2 goals, we might see the FINAL of the Coppa Italia between the two Roman teams!!!!  Wow,,,  another derby!!!!  And what a derby!!!!! 

Coppa Italia Semifinals First Leg

FC INTER 0 - 0 LAZIO

Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Giuseppe Meazza Stadium

Referee: Gianluca Rocchi (Firenze)
Assistants: Strocchia and Rossomando
Fourth Official: Marelli

Related Story:

FC INTER

Goalkeeper: : 1 Toldo;
Defenders:16 Burdisso, 23 Materazzi, 26 Chivu, 31 Cesar;
Midfielders: 11 Jimenez (50 Siligardi 75), 28 Maniche, 21 Solari (19 Cambiasso 78); 7 Figo (36 Bolzoni 39),
Forwards:18 Hernan Crespo, 29 David Suazo.

Subs not used: 22 Orlandoni, 24 Rivas, 40 Fatic, 47 Filippini.

Coach: Roberto Mancini.

LAZIO

Goalkeeper: 32 Marco Ballotta;
Defenders: 8 Zauri, 13 Siviglia, 25 Cribari, 2 Radu;
Midfielders: 6 Dabo (69 Manfredini 81), 24 Ledesma, 85 Behrami (5 Mutarelli 60); 11 Mauri;
Forwards: 19 Pandev (17 Tare 90), 18 Rocchi.

Subs not used: 1 Muslera, 7 Rozenhal, 23 Meghni, 29 De Silvestri.

Coach: Delio Rossi.

Referee: Gianluca Rocchi (Florence).

Booked: Maniche 52, Rocchi 73.