Lazio Facing Defensive Woes for Juventus Clash
Copyright � 1999 Nando Media
Copyright � 1999 Agence France-Presse
ROME, Italy (April 12, 1999 1:04 p.m. EDT http://www.sportserver.com) - Italian league leaders Lazio will be without their entire first team defence for the visit of defending champions Juventus next Saturday.
Captain Alessandro Nesta and Yugoslav freekick specialist Sinisa Mihajlovic were both sent off during Sunday's 3-1 defeat in the Rome derby match and will be suspended.
In addition, right back Paolo Negro and left back Giuseppe Pancaro picked up bookings and will also be ineligible.
Portuguese defender Fernando Couto is injured and coach Sven Goran Eriksson's only other two out-and-out defenders are Giuseppe Favalli and Stefano Lonmbardi, who were both on the bench for Sunday's clash.
"Our defense presents quite a serious problem but I hope at least to have Couto back," Eriksson said. "I have six days to find a solution and we may play with three defenders since it could be difficult to find four."
