Lazio v Inter: Crespo and co need to get back to winning ways

European Leagues / Dan Fitch / 29 March 2008 / Leave a Comment

Dan "The Betting Man" Fitch tells us why the Lazio fans may well be cheering should their side lose this match tonight

A few years back, Tottenham played a game at Old Trafford on the last day of the season. If Spurs lost, United would win the title. If Spurs picked up a result, then it was possible that Arsenal would win the league.

You didn't have to be Nostradamus to predict that Tottenham would lay down and die like dogs and sure enough, United lifted the title. This was not before Les Ferdinand found himself in the unusual position of being moaned at by his own fans for scoring a goal, as Tottenham took the lead. Luckily, Spurs' defence was as always, more porous than a sponge and normal service was soon resumed.

On Saturday night Inter Milan will travel to a Lazio side, who will know that a victory could allow their deadly rivals Roma, back into the title race. Lazio have little to play for and their fans would probably welcome a defeat, but footballers do not understand the primal instincts that govern the hearts of the supporters and will probably do something silly, like try to win. All the action (or lack thereof) can be seen on Betfair Live Video.

Inter's season is in danger of proving the old adage true, that a season is a marathon, not a sprint. It seemed inconceivable earlier this season that Inter could be caught and such was their form that they looked as if they might finally break through and challenge in Europe. Instead, they fell short once more, against Liverpool in the Champions League second round, which seemed to signal their season going into freefall.

They tasted their second league defeat of the season, last weekend when they lost 2-1 at home to Juventus. Inter had good chances to take the lead through Stankovic and Chivu, but it was Juventus who broke the deadline after half time through Camoranesi. Trezeguet then made it 2-0 with his seventeenth goal of the season, before Maniche provided false hope with a late strike, to leave a final score of 2-1.

Coach Roberto Mancini's claim that he would leave in the summer and subsequent denial, has done nothing but destabilise the side. Ironically, if the uncertainty leads to Inter losing their grip on the title, Mancini's rash outburst may well end up losing him his job anyway. I would be very surprised if he didn't leave and with Didier Drogba being quoted in the press as soon to be joining Inter, it would be no surprise if Mourinho came also.

Julio Cruz is suspended and Ibrahimovic probably injured, so Mancini will have to rely upon Crespo and Suazo for goals. The pressure could really be on Inter, as Roma play Cagliari earlier in the day, which could see the lead slip to just one point. If this is the case, expect a nervous victory at best.

The two sides also meet in the semi finals of the Coppa Italia and never failing in their devotion to the conspiracy theory, Italians have been speculating as to whether the league game will be thrown in Inter's favour, in exchange for Lazio's progression in the cup. Lazio have denied such a compromise has been made, but then they would do wouldn't they?

Lazio probably thought they had ended Roma's title hopes when they recently recorded a 3-2 win over their rivals, but Inter could only record a point that night and didn't take their chance. Lazio followed this win with a weekend defeat at Fiorentina, though this came as no disgrace. Having had Mutarelli sent off in the 37th minute, Lazio battled with ten men and it took Fiorentina until the 77th minute to take their eventual lead.

Despite Lazio's battling qualities, I think that Inter will get back to winning ways this week. Inter are [2.14] with Lazio [4.5] and the draw [3.15]. I also don't expect much in the way of goals, with under 2.5 goals at [1.86]. If they fail to win, Inter will have only themselves to blame. They will after all have the whole stadium cheering them on.