With the help of André Dias’ right-footed volley, Lazio beat Palermo 1-0 and find themselves four points clear of Inter, having won seven of their nine games so far this season. Against Palermo, Lazio were outplayed, but thanks to some brilliant goalkeeping from Fernando Muslera and André Dias’ winner; which was a sweetly stuck volley to score his second ever goal for Lazio.
Palermo started the brighter of the two sides, with this being typified by an error from one of Lazio’s centre backs, Giuseppe Biava. He held onto the ball for too long, and when he attempted a pass left to André Dias, he was subsequently intercepted by Javier Pastore, who passed it to Mauricio Pinilla, and when receiving the ball back had a shot saved by Muslera. It was Lazio, however, who took the lead. Cristian Ledesma took an outswinging free kick from the right, which André Dias volleyed home in the top corner from near the penalty spot. It was a well executed strike, which was surprising for a centre back like André Dias. Another error at the back almost resulted in a Palermo goal, when Muslera, who was otherwise brilliant, kicked the ball under pressure from Pastore, straight on the Argentine’s foot. Luckily for Biancocelesti supporters, the ball sailed over the crossbar. Later on Armin Bačinović was denied a brilliant goal by Muslera and the rebound by Pastore was blocked by Ştefan Radu. Lazio held on for three points and now surprisingly are top of Serie A, a full four points ahead of Inter.
One reason for Lazio’s successful start to the season is the signing of the Brazilian central midfielder, Hernanes, from São Paulo. He has proved industrious in midfield, controlling possession while also shooting from distance. He will probably add more goals, especially from the spot as he has been taking Lazio’s penalties and has already scored one. Another factor in Lazio’s rise has been Sergio Floccari, who has scored three goals so far and is a nuisance to opposing defenders with his running on the right, capitalising on mistakes by them. One problem Lazio do have, though, is the lack of a suitable left back after selling Aleksandar Kolarov to Manchester City. Without replacing him, Ştefan Radu, a regular centre back, has taken his place and has looked uncomfortable. With the need for full backs in today’s football to attack with the amount of space they are given, Radu does not offer much going forward; conversley Stephan Litchsteiner on the right has provided a threat with his runs and crossing. Lazio’s squad, additionally, looks fairly thin of quality and when the injuries are piling up there are questions over whether they will be able to cope with the demands of a 38 game league.
Slovenian Contingent in Palermo
In Palermo’s line up against Lazio, two Slovenians were in the first team, both playing in their first seasons outside of Slovenia and both signed by Maribor. The player who has made more of an impact is Bosnian-born Josip Iličić, a classic attacking midfielder, who the Italians like to describe as a trequartista. In the attacking midfield role he has linked up well with Javier Pastore and has got Palermo and Slovenia fans dreaming that he will one day turn into a superstar. He has already scored four goals in six games for Palermo and his quality finishing has impressed their fans. At the beginning of the season, Iličić was playing for Interblock, the second team from Ljubljana (after Olimpija). He was then signed by Maribor, who strengthen their position at the peak of Slovenian football by regularly signing the best domestic talent. After playing a few Europa League games for the club, he was immediately snapped up by Palermo for a fee believed to be in the region of €2.3 million, a record for a player from Slovenia. He has since made his debut for Slovenia, rejecting the calls of Croatia (his ethnic parentage) and Bosnia and Herzegovina (his place of birth).
When Palermo acquired Iličić, they also signed Armin Bačinović from Maribor, who unlike Iličić, is a Maribor native and started his professional career with the club. A defensive midfielder, Bačinović has also shown an eye for goal, scoring against Bologna with a precise finish. He, like Iličić, was eligible to play for Bosnia and Herzegovina (through his ethnic parentage), but decided to play for his country of birth.
Italy has provided a breeding ground for young Slovenian talent, with Reme Krhin, Jan Koprivec and Vid Belec all playing in Italy and Samir Handanović starting his foreign career there. The next wave of young Slovenian talent waiting to move abroad are Etien Velikonja, a goalscoring striker for ND Gorica, Rajko Rep, a skilful midfielder for Maribor and the powerful forward Robert Berić, also of Maribor. With these youngsters, Slovenian football is on the rise and appearances at the World Cup won’t be much of a surprise later.
Elsewhere around the Europe:
- Dinamo Kiev thrashed Illichivets 9-0 in Ukraine. The Illichivets back line was very stretched, leaving space inbetween and behind them, which the most successful team in the Soviet Union exploited. The brilliant Artem Milevskiy scored four goals, displaying his superb finishing
- Barcelona overcame Sevilla 5-0, with David Villa ending his poor spell of form by scoring twice. Lionel Messi added another two and former Sevilla man Daniel Alves scored. Ibrahima Konko got a red card to end off a disappointing day for the Andalucians
- Juventus beat Milan 2-1 in a packed San Siro, with Del Piero eclipsing former Juventus legend Giampiero Boniperti to the crown of most Juventus goals in Serie A by scoring his 179th goal
- Djibril Cisse scored twice as Panathinaikos won against Olympiakos 2-1 in a heated affair, with Avraam Papadopoulos being sent off for the former
- Flora Tallin won the Estonian league after a 3-0 win over Nomme Kalju
- Borussia Dortmund are top of the Bundesliga after beating nearest challengers and surprise package Mainz 2-0, with wonderkid Götze and Lucas Barrios scoring
- Zenit St. Petersburg continue their good form at the top of the Russian league after a 3-0 victory over Alaniya Vladikavkaz, with Aleksandar Kerzhakov scoring twice
- Maribor are unbeaten and are eight points clear at the top of the Slovenian 1. Liga after demolishing Celje 4-0; Dalibor Volaš bagged a hat-trick
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