Resurgent Lazio open clear lead in Serie A
Lazio's fourth win in five games enabled them to pull two points clear at the top of Serie A and though they almost certainly won't stay there, their progress this year under Edy Reja has been quite remarkable.
Fabio Capello was responsible for the most successful period in Roma's recent history but while they struggle to match last season's impeccably high standards - losing 2-0 away to Napoli yesterday - neighbours Lazio are enjoying a renaissance under one of Capello's best friends in football, Edy Reja.
The former Napoli boss has done an incredible job so far with the Biancocelesti, taking over in February with the former champions stuck in the relegation zone and guiding them within eight months to the top of Serie A.
There were eyebrows raised when Reja stated his aim to take the side who finished 12th last term back into the Champions League, yet it's beginning to look like a feasible target after collecting 13 points from a fairly tough first half-dozen games, including clashes with AC Milan, Fiorentina and Sampdoria.
The improvement is more a consequence of good management than shrewd transfer policy, though the one major addition of the last window, Brazilian Hernanes, has adapted to Italian football quickly and proven a success. His arrival was balanced by the loss of key man Aleksandar Kolarov however.
A 1-0 victory over promoted Brescia, who had former West Ham trequartista Alessandro Diamanti dismissed, enabled them to open up a two-point lead over Inter Milan, AC Milan and Napoli at the top but title odds of [40.0] show that they're not expected to stay there for long.
Capello has backed his long-term ally to deliver his hoped-for top-four finish and if you agree, you can back the Eagles at [3.05]...
Published: 4 Oct 2010
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