Wis³a - Lazio

[pyrtas]

A very difficult task awaits Italian giants Lazio, who must try to bounce back from a negative home result when they visit Wisla Krakow in the second leg match of the Uefa Cup fourth round.
Last week's unexpected 3-3 draw at the Stadio Olimpico will force the Biancocelesti to win in Krakow, something nobody has done this season, neither in the Uefa Cup nor in the Polish League.
However, the Biancocelesti must be happy to take their chances away from Rome. In fact, if Wisla are very strong at home, Mancini's men have been looking almost irresistible on the road, boosting an awesome 9-6-0 record in fifteen official matches.
The Polish side will be hoping to knock out their third high-rated opponent in a row. In the previous two rounds, Wisla eliminated Parma and Schalke 04, thus confirming to be a definitely emerging team.
TEAM NEWS
The only concern for Wisla coach Henry Kaspeczak regards striker Zurawski, who netted two penalties in the first leg match. The Polish international is suffering from a light muscular problem, but he's expected to recover. Most likely, the hosts will field the same starting eleven who grabbed the precious 3-3 draw in Rome.
Two influential regulars will be sidelined for Lazio. Impressive Yugoslavian midfielder Stankovic is still suffering from a muscular injury, while striker Corradi is ineligible having already played the Champions League preliminary round with Inter. Chiesa will pair up Lopez upfront, while veteran Argentinean Simeone should be preferred to Liverani in the middle.

PROBABLE LINEUPS
WISLA (4-4-2): Hugues; Bazczynski, Glowacki, Jop, Stolarczyk; Uche, Stral, Cantoro, Kosowski; Zurawski, Kuzba

LAZIO (4-4-2): Marchegiani; Pancaro, Negro, Stam, Favalli; Fiore, Giannichedda, Simeone, Cesar; Lopez, Chiesa


COME ON WISLA!!!!!!!
Great chance for Wisla and it shouldn`t be wasted!!! Send the mighty Italians home!

The problem for both teams will be the pitch. It is bloody frozen. The temperature in Krakow is still below 0 so it`ll be hard to play on "concrete" grass. Such ground is better if you want to play defensively but neither Lazio nor Wisla is a team that prefers such style. There `ll be plenty of accidental passes and one goal may bury one side. Hope it`ll be Lazio taking ball out of their net.

[pyrtas]

today morning during the meeting with the referee and uefa official Lazio questioned condition of the pitch. It is reported they have found it too frozen and too hard to play.
at 2pm (CET) the uefa official will test the pitch again and the final decision should be made by 6pm (CET).

Italian primadonnas.... What did they expect in the middle of winter?

[pyrtas]

:angry: No match today :angry:

Uefa official Tryve Bornoe decided that the pitch is too frozen to play today. There is argument about next date for that clash. Wisla wants next Wednesday, Italians turn the date down and want to play tomorrow. Strange, what can you expect to have changed by tomorrow.? It is freezing outside so the pitch will be the same as today.
Wisla officials say that they did all possible to make the pitch playable and in their opinion they succeeded.
official decision to be announced in 1 hour.

I wonder how was the pitch in Moscow 2 days ago?

[pyrtas]

:angry: :angry:
It was only Lazio who didn`t want to play the game. Italian primadonnas said that it`d be too risky and easy to get injured. Somehow Polish players didn`t complain about it and had a 1hour long training yesterday. Played a test game. One team in Lazio outfits and one in Wisla.
They didn`t want to play today as well. Their excuse was that they had to give the plane back. Not true because the plane wasn`t in Poland so it was only a matter of one call to call it off.
They want heated pitch. :k*** s! I wonder why Milan didn`t moan on Tuesday and played in Moscow. And won. Class team not those Lazio wan...s!!!
I know Lazio lacks form. Maybe they should give the game up if they`re afraid and concentrate on Serie A games. Uefa cup isn`t any important as they used to say....

I wonder what will happen if the temperatures drop next week (Tue or Wed the game is due).? It isn`t only sunny Italia where you play football. There will be two reserve pitches prepared but no miracles secured - if it is cold it is cold. Just wear more clothes and gloves!! And don`t put so much brillantine on your hair....

I hope we`ll beat those girls!!!

[pyrtas]

so it is tonight. the pitch is in worse condition than it was a week ago. As I said what would the macarons do if the temperature drops? It did drop a bit. It is colder but uefa official said that it is ok to play (wasn`t last week?).

from uefa.com about Kasperczak - Wisla coach:

In 1978, Henryk Kasperczak left Poland. After ending his playing career in France with FC Metz, he embarked on a coaching odyssey which took him to Tunisia, Ivory Coast, Mali, the United Arab Emirates and China.

Back home
Then, last summer, at the age of 55, he went home. He has subsequently taken Wisla Kraków to the top of the Polish First Division and within sight of the UEFA Cup quarter-finals. "When I left Poland there was a regulation that meant players could only leave if they were over 30," Kasperczak told uefa.com. "I had no thought then of going back. When Wisla approached me I agreed to return because they offered a chance to work with a promising team in good conditions."

Extraordinary impact
Kasperczak's impact has been extraordinary. Quite apart from sweeping through the domestic league, Wisla have won plaudits across Europe for a patient attacking game that has brought resounding victories against NK Primorje, Parma AC and FC Schalke 04 in the UEFA Cup.

Same blueprint
Kasperczak has made a habit of making teams play to their potential and beyond, taking Tunisia to the final stages of two FIFA World Cups, and coaxing Mali to the last four of last year's African Cup of Nations. The blueprint is always the same - maintain possession, work the ball until space becomes available, and then attack at pace.

Teamwork matters
Kasperczak remains modest, though, about his role in Wisla's success. "I have merely stimulated the team to give their best," he said. "Many things are being said about our forward Maciej Zurawski and left winger Kamil Kosowski, but in my opinion the strength of Wisla results from the play of our whole team."

We have to go into the game with confidence. We have nothing to fear - they are people like us

Henryk Kasperczak


Another scalp
Today against S.S. Lazio, Wisla could claim another scalp. At the Stadio Olimpico a fortnight ago only some unfortunate defending prevented them coming away with more than the 3-3 draw they did achieve. "If we are to finish the job," Kasperczak explained, "we must make the most of any chances we have because you can be sure there won't be many of them. We have to go into the game with confidence. We have nothing to fear - they are people like us."

Polish progress
Once in the quarter-finals - where they would meet Besiktas JK - anything is possible, but Kasperczak dismisses talk of actually winning the competition. "You will hear nothing like that from Wisla," he said. "We are enjoying good results, but before we can fight for the biggest trophies many things have to be put right in Poland. Above all, our league has to improve."

[pyrtas]

likely line-ups:

WISLA:
Hughes
Baszczynski, Glowacki, Jop, Stolarczyk
Uche, Strak, Cantoro, Kosowski
Kuzba, Zurawski


LAZIO:
Marchegiani
Oddo, Stam, Negro, Favalli
Fiore, Stankovic, Giannicheda, Lazetic
Chiesa, Lopez



A bit of a hostile atmosphere arouse. No fans waiting for Lazio at the airport (There were a lot of them last week). Players were whisked away to a hotel where no polish journalist are alowed. Untouchables :k*** s

[Excelsior]

Good luck Wisla! :clap

[coobek]

Od kiedy na Wawelu!!! lalalalalalaaaaa

I hope Wisla will win with Lazio but even if something goes wrong I thank you for great footbal and moments of joy I will never forget.

Go get them boys. :clap

[pyrtas]

DAMN!!!!!!!!
Despite being a better side Wisla lost to Lazio 1-2. Lazio went through to quarter finals and will play Besiktas.

Kuzba scored in 6th minute to give Wisla 1-0 lead. After 15 minutes the referee Stuart Dougal got injured and a reserve one went onto the pitch.
couto cleared the ball off the line after Uche shot.
Couto scoreD in 21st minute after a corner. Then it was a Wisla player who denied a goal when blocked a shot stannding on the line.
45th minute Zurawski shot over the bar instead of passing the ball to waiting Kuzba.
Second half. Uche hits the bar. Chiesa shoots and scores in 55th minute.
Lots of pressure from Wisla. Many chances, shots but to no avail.

Man of the match for me was Kalu Uche. Great in dribbling.It was really hard to get the ball from him and bloody Italians had to foul. At lest 10 times. Cantoro another brilliant techniqe player. But end of story for Wisla. Very weak Lazio goes through.


stats:
shots: W-17 L-9
fauls: W-16 L-22
offsides: W-1 L-10
corners: W-6 L-8
bookings: W-1 L-5


next year should be better. Pity because if Wisla had won the game Poland would have 2 teams in CL qualification with 1 seeded.
But Wisla should be joined by Groclin in good european performance next year.

[coobek]

Thank you for everything guys!!!!! :clap

Great game, again. Lazio was not so weak I think it is just that we are so good. I watch sometimes when Lazio plays in Italian League and players like Rivaldo are helpless not Wisla though.

Til next season. Now to Ekstraklasa to win everything FA Cup and League it will be hard though Groclin, Amica and Legia are though teams and Lech Poznañ will be very demanding at least.

Go Ekstraklasa. Next European season is ours. You know why? Because of envy, Polish national characteristics. All the other players will envy Wis³a and so they will play better. Because you can't motivate polish people by money, prizes or anything but if the neighbour got smth better than you we are pi##ed off. :D

[CelticBhoy]

No luck guys, shame Wisla could not follow up the great performance in Italy. It would have been nice to have met a Polish team in uefa cup final, good luck for the rest of the season and see you in the next Champions league :D

[pyrtas]

Originally posted by CelticBhoy@Mar 5 2003, 09:44 PM
No luck guys, shame Wisla could not follow up the great performance in Italy. It would have been nice to have met a Polish team in uefa cup final, good luck for the rest of the season and see you in the next Champions league :D
they did follow the great performance. Unluckily the outcome was different.

[pyrtas]

one more match report - from uefa.com

S.S. Lazio booked their place in the UEFA Cup quarter-finals with a 2-1 victory against Wisla Krákow in a rearranged fourth round second-leg tie in Poland.
Come from behind
Lazio recovered from the setback of Marcin Kuzba's fifth-minute effort to win through with goals either side of half-time from Fernando Couto and Enrico Chiesa. The Italian side, who had been held to a 3-3 draw in Rome, now face Besiktas JK in the last eight. "We deserved to qualify," Lazio coach Roberto Mancini said. "We created a lot of chances, particularly in the first half, and it was a wonderful performance from my players."

Stylish beginning
Mancini had included goalkeeper Luca Marchegiani in place of the injured Angelo Peruzzi, and the understudy was soon called into action. Wisla began in the style that had brought 4-1 victories in the second legs of their two previous ties, against Parma AC and FC Schalke 04, and that adventure paid off inside five minutes. Midfielder Kalu Uche was the architect, crossing superbly for Kuzba to score with an angled drive from left to right.

Powerful header
The lively Uche then went close to doubling the lead, Couto and Paolo Negro - two of four visiting players booked in a feisty opening period - both being forced to clear off the line to deny the No10. Stung into action, Lazio began to assert themselves and drew level in the 20th minute. Chiesa created the goal, his precise corner finding Fernando Couto whose powerful header beat Angelo Hugues.

Frenetic pace
With parity restored, the game continued at a frenetic pace. Kamil Kosowski led a series of Wisla forays before Lazio took control in the final 15 minutes of the first half. Hugues produced fine saves from Claudio López and Couto, while César, Dejan Stankovic and Chiesa all went close. Arguably the best chance, however, went to Wisla. Maciej Zurawski, the two-goal hero of the Olimpico, shot over when Kuzba was better placed to finish off a breakaway move.

Chiesa winner
The second half brought more Lazio pressure, although Marchegiani was beaten by a Kosowski shot in the 50th minute which deflected off Uche before rebounding to safety off the post. "Lazio won because they made fewer mistakes and definitely had the luck," said Wisla coach Henryk Kasperczak. His team were made to pay as Chiesa struck a sublime volley from outside the area three minutes later, a goal worthy of winning any match.

:angry: :angry: :angry:

[kenzo©®]

I saw Lazio got shedloads of yellow cards, dirty boys, wont fair well for them in later rounds.

Bad luck Wisla :angry:

[jimlad1981]

absolute class goal from chiesa

[Paisley]

have been nice to have met a Polish team in uefa cup final

Is that in next seasons UEFA Cup? :salute

[Zizou]

So final is probably gonna be Celtic/Liverpool vs Lazio?

[pyrtas]

Originally posted by Zizou@Mar 6 2003, 02:25 PM
So final is probably gonna be Celtic/Liverpool vs Lazio?
Possible but IMO not very likely. Besiktas should kick those Italians out of the cup.

[Zizou]

Originally posted by pyrtas+Mar 7 2003, 09:47 AM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (pyrtas @ Mar 7 2003, 09:47 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin--Zizou@Mar 6 2003, 02:25 PM
So final is probably gonna be Celtic/Liverpool vs Lazio?
Possible but IMO not very likely. Besiktas should kick those Italians out of the cup. [/b][/quote]
Besiktas? Unlikely.

[pyrtas]

Originally posted by Zizou+Mar 7 2003, 10:00 AM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Zizou @ Mar 7 2003, 10:00 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin--pyrtas+Mar 7 2003, 09:47 AM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (pyrtas @ Mar 7 2003, 09:47 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin--Zizou@Mar 6 2003, 02:25 PM
So final is probably gonna be Celtic/Liverpool vs Lazio?
Possible but IMO not very likely. Besiktas should kick those Italians out of the cup. [/b][/quote]
Besiktas? Unlikely. [/b][/quote]
wouldn`t be so sure. Anyway FC Porto looks the strongest team among the left ones to me. I think it`ll be portuguese who `ll win the cup. Don`t know whom against in the final. Hope it won`t be Lazio as they really don`t deserve that.

[Zizou]

Pundits have Lazio as favourites, and rightly so. I think they have the best team when compared to the others.

[pyrtas]

Originally posted by Zizou@Mar 7 2003, 10:58 AM
Pundits have Lazio as favourites, and rightly so. I think they have the best team when compared to the others.
IMO they have the most famous players but not the best team. As a team Porto will thrash them. Maybe even Besiktas....

[Paisley]

FC Porto favourites? :laugh :laugh :laugh

[pyrtas]

Originally posted by Paisley@Mar 8 2003, 12:34 AM
FC Porto favourites? :laugh :laugh :laugh
ooooo yes. You`ll see.

[Paisley]

Yep I'll see them get knocked out next round :D :clap

[Paisley]

Originally posted by pyrtas+Mar 8 2003, 03:00 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (pyrtas @ Mar 8 2003, 03:00 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin--Paisley@Mar 8 2003, 12:34 AM
FC Porto favourites?&nbsp; :laugh&nbsp; :laugh&nbsp; :laugh
ooooo yes. You`ll see. [/b][/quote]
Seen them get beat at home :salute

[pyrtas]

Originally posted by Paisley+Mar 15 2003, 09:42 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Paisley @ Mar 15 2003, 09:42 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin--pyrtas+Mar 8 2003, 03:00 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (pyrtas @ Mar 8 2003, 03:00 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin--Paisley@Mar 8 2003, 12:34 AM
FC Porto favourites?* :laugh* :laugh* :laugh
ooooo yes. You`ll see. [/b][/quote]
Seen them get beat at home :salute [/b][/quote]
happens. Panathinaikos play wery well lately and of course they are favourites to go to the semis. I still don`t give up on Porto though. If they lose it can be Liverpool or Celtic to win the cup. Don`t want to see Lazio do it.