Football Previews
Lazio coach Stefano Pioli is hopeful his side can start a new winning streak against Parma on Wednesday that will carry them to a second-place finish in Serie A. Fourteen points behind runaway league leaders Juventus, Lazio are trying to beat Roma and Napoli to a runners-up finish that would ensure direct qualification to the Champion League. “We want to win all of our remaining six games,” Pioli said to the Italian press. “We are preparing well for tomorrow’s match, with concentration and tranquility. “There are no easy games in Serie A and we know we have six finals left to play.” Lazio return to the Stadio Olimpico three days after being held to a 1-1 draw by Chievo. That result followed Lazio’s 2-0 loss at Juventus, a defeat which had halted the Biancoceleste’s eight-match winning streak. Despite those two setbacks, Lazio are still in second place in the standings, one point clear of city rivals Roma and three points above Napoli. “We should have won against Chievo,” Pioli said. “But we didn’t make the most of our chances. “We must turn the page.” Lazio have not lost at the Stadio Olimpico since February 9 and take on a Parma side that has won just once on the road all season. Bottom-side Parma have endured a difficult campaign on and off the pitch and are trying to delay relegation for another week. The Ducale club was declared bankrupt last month and Parma’s players have not been paid since last summer. Parma have also been docked seven points this season, four last week, as punishment for financial mismanagement. Sunday’s 1-0 triumph over Palermo was Parma’s sixth win overall but still left Roberto Donadoni’s men 15 points adrift of safety. “I’m really saddened and I never expected this situation,” Parma-born Pioli said. “I hope things can turn out for the best for Parma. “I would like to compliment Donadoni and his players because they have shown they deserve to be higher up in the standings.” Parma are without Andrea Costa and Zouhair Feddal, with both defenders suspended.
#
Team
MP
W
D
L
F
A
G
P
1
SSC Napoli
12
8
2
2
19
9
+10
26
2
Atalanta
12
8
1
3
31
15
+16
25
3
Fiorentina
12
7
4
1
25
10
+15
25
4
Inter Milan
12
7
4
1
26
14
+12
25
5
Lazio
12
8
1
3
25
14
+11
25
6
Juventus
12
6
6
0
21
7
+14
24
7
AC Milan
11
5
3
3
20
14
+6
18
8
Bologna
11
4
6
1
15
13
+2
18
9
Udinese
12
5
1
6
15
18
-3
16
10
Empoli
12
3
6
3
9
10
-1
15
11
Torino
12
4
2
6
15
18
-3
14
12
Roma
12
3
4
5
14
17
-3
13
13
Parma
12
2
6
4
16
18
-2
12
14
Verona
12
4
0
8
17
27
-10
12
15
Como
12
2
4
6
13
23
-10
10
16
Cagliari
12
2
4
6
12
22
-10
10
17
Genoa
12
2
4
6
9
22
-13
10
18
Lecce
12
2
3
7
5
21
-16
9
19
Monza
12
1
5
6
10
15
-5
8
20
Venezia
12
2
2
8
11
21
-10
8
Please Gamble Responsibly