Lazio's hopes of a Champion's League place withered with this defeat by rivals Bologna. With cruel irony, former Lazio legend Beppe Signori scored the home side's first goal; a challenge which the faltering visitors failed to rise to. In a match marked by impotent frustration, Zaccheroni fielded a formation with Crespo in attack supported by Fiore. In the second half the manager brought on an eager Lopez, but Lazio rarely looked threatening, and couldn't capitalise on the reduction of Bologna to ten men after the sending-off of Giulio Falcone. In stoppage time, the rossoblu managed a second goal, sealing Lazio's misery.

After the game renewed voices called for the dismissal of Zaccheroni; the most frequently-mentioned name for a replacement being Roberto Mancini. The manager himself was already anticipating next week's climactic confrontation with leaders Inter. "Next Sunday it is our duty to compete," he said, in an oblique swipe at the voices suggesting Lazio would be happy to lose to an Inter capable of beating Roma to the scudetto. "If we want a place in the UEFA Cup we must beat Inter."

Meanwhile, all three top teams won their matches, leaving a tense countdown to the season's final ninety minutes. Current standings at the top of the table: Inter 69, Juventus 68, Roma 67, Milan 52, Bologna 52, Chievo 51, Lazio 50, Atalanta 45.

21 April 2002

In a high-scoring and high-excitement game today, Lazio beat Verona 5-4. After an agressive opening five minutes from the home side, Verona went ahead with a neat shot from Frick, after referee Farina failed to award a free kick for Camoranesi's foul on Couto. Lazio responded by faltering before finding their feet again with a goal from the excellent Stam. Having hit the mark once, Lazio continued positively, with a goal from Lopez (a penalty) and two from Stankovic (one an unusual effort struck with his knee).

The second half saw the entrance of Hernan Crespo, recovering from injury. He promptly scored, but having lost Stam to a highly debatable red card, Lazio's grip on the game began sliding. The determined Verona scored three goals in succession, but the 10-man home side held on to finish the game 5-4 and an optimistic one point off that sought-after fourth place.

Meanwhile, draws by Inter (2-2 away to Chievo) and Roma (0-0 with AC Milan) meant that Juventus's defeat of Piacenza moves them into second place.

Current standings are at the top of the table are: Inter 66, Juve 65, Roma 64, Chievo 51, Lazio 50.

Talk about Roberto Mancini's possible return to Lazio's bench re-surfaced today with the news that Cragnotti and Mancini have had a 'secret' meeting. This follows the announcement yesterday that Italy manager Trapattoni had extended his commitment to the national side. Despite Cragnotti's avowed intention to retain Zaccheroni as Lazio coach, both Mancini and Trapattoni have been among the names touted as possible replacements, along with Sven Goran Eriksson, Claudio Ranieri and others.

In a dispiriting display at the San Siro last night Italy managed a draw with their Serie A team-mates in the Uruguay squad. Decent performances from a few of the Azzurri - notably goal scorer Christian Panucci - inspired some hope for the World Cup, but overall the performance came in for considerable criticism. Even manager Trapattoni - whose contract has just been extended until 2004 - was forced to concede that his team were far from the world's best. He pointed at a long list of injuries and withdrawals (including Maldini and Totti). A serious injury to Pessotto just a few minutes into the game creates still more worries for June. This follows Albertini's injury earlier in the week which has ruled him out of the World Cup; a severe blow for his country.

The only two Lazio faces featured were Fiore and Nesta. The latter (with Panucci) was one of only two players to survive the slew of strategic substitutions, and inherited the captain's armband upon the 75th-minute departure of Cannavaro.

Lazio's victory away in Florence yesterday sees Fiorentina mathematically relegated to Serie B. Meanwhile, in the Lazio camp, hopes are once again high for a Champions League placing. Minus Crespo, Nesta, Stankovic and Inzaghi, the team managed a second consecutive win thanks to a first-half goal by Lucas Castroman.

Tickets are already on sale on the internet for Lazio's last game of the season (5 May, 3pm), which just happens to be against current leaders Inter. With the possibility that not only Lazio's place in Europe, but also Roma's title hopes could depend upon the outcome of this match, the fixture promises to be interesting from several viewpoints. To purchase tickets, visit the official website or ticket outlet (for more information click on See a Match).

The title race took an unexpected turn as leaders Inter lost at home to Atalanta, and Roma only managed a draw at lowly Venezia. (Saved from the disgrace of losing to the already-relegated lagoon side by two debatable penalty decisions in the closing minutes.) Meanwhile Juventus bulldozeded their way back into the reckoning with a 4-0 defeat of Perugia.

At the Stadio Olimpico, Lazio managed to beat Lecce 1-0 after over an hour of scrappy attempts on goal. Still missing many players through injury, the team and fans were lifted by the re-entry of Diego Simeone after seven months out injured.

Current standings in the top half of the table are now: Inter 62 points, Roma 60, Juventus 59, Bologna 49, Milan 48, Chievo 47, Lazio 44, Torino 40.

A brave performance in Turin gives Lazio a welcome point. Ironically, it also benefits city rivals Roma, now in unchallenged second place in Serie A. Claudio Lopez put Lazio ahead, before an equaliser by Trezeguet. This draw ended Juventus's run of nine consecutive home victories.

In tonight's friendly match at Elland Road, Roma striker Vincenzo Montella continued his run of magic, scoring twice (once from a penalty) to equalise and then defeat England.

Neither team played with World Cup winning flair, but the solid performances in what was decidedly a friendly match left a general feeling of satisfaction.

Today in a much-heralded press conference, Lazio President Sergio Cragnotti put forward his vision for Lazio's future. Once again he reiterated that neither Nesta nor Crespo are on the market, and that he (along with the fans and the media) sees them as vital to the club's rejuvenation. However, he did continue to stress the importance of the club's finances, and that football is a business, so his words are unlikely to convince all doubters.

Lazio chalked up a welcome home win against Udinese, thanks to a first-half goal by Dejan Stankovic, and a second-half strike by disputed ex-Udinese player Fiore.

In a wind-swept Stadio Olimpico the squad put up another lacklustre performance, with only moments of brightness. A large proportion of fans spent much of the match calling for Zaccheroni's departure, and abusing their least favourite players.

This week's bad news is another injury to Hernan Crespo. The striker is expected to be out for four weeks following an injury picked up during a friendly match in training. The team will have to face Udinese at the Stadio Olimpico tomorrow without his presence, although Favalli and Stam are both now expected to be in the starting lineup.

A more positive atmosphere has permeated Lazio's public relations this week, with the Cragnottis' declaration that club captain Alessandro Nesta will not be sold this summer. Despite the media frenzy over negotiations known to have taken place with Juventus and Inter Milan, the club president now assures fans that the new team will be built around the star defender.

The club ended the latest press blackout this week, with a press conference on Thursday by Nesta. The subject of the transfer market was banned by the club, and Nesta was reluctant to discuss the derby disaster, focussing on the need to look ahead."I've been with Lazio for 18 years," commented the defender, "and I know what I've done well and what I've done badly. When I win a derby I don't go around waving a flag, and in the same way I don't hide when I lose. I always keep a balanced view: my philosophy is to pick myself up and look to the future."

17 March 2002

Lazio's dark days continue with a 1-1 draw away to Brescia. Crespo put the Biancocelesti ahead at the beginning of the second half, but a penalty in the final minutes put the home side back on equal terms. The match marked the return after his doping suspension for Jaap Stam, who (along with Liverani)had to leave the field injured. Both players, however, are expected to be fit for next week's home tie against Udinese. Also given a chance to play was young hopeful Evacuo, a forward from Lazio's Primavera team.

On a nastier note, the repercussions of last week's derby defeat continued, with Dino Baggio, Lucas Castroman and two club officials being attacked by Lazio fans outside their hotel. The team had previously been moved to Lake Garda to prepare for this fixture by club president Cragnotti, after 400 fans mounted an assault on the Lazio training ground at Formello.

10 March 2002

Four goals by Montella and a Lazio in disarray.

3 March 2002

Another welcome win for Lazio, this time against Serie A minnows Venezia. A three goal lead (courtesy of Crespo and Pancaro) led to scenes of wild rejoicing, before a game Venezia made it 3-2. However, a back-to-his-best Hernan Crespo sealed the victory for the home side by completing his hat-trick.

24 February 2002

Finally, a victory for struggling Lazio. Thanks to a fortunate Poborsky effort, Lazio put an end to their run of bad luck and bad results. A question mark still hangs over the team's form, but three more points mean a sigh of relief for everyone involved with Lazio.

18 February 2002

Lazio's dreams of a fresh start turned sour last night when the team conceded another late equalizer to earn an unsatisfactory point against Chievo. Crespo missed a penalty before Inzaghi gave Lazio the lead, but with chances being thrown away in a repeat of recent performances, it came as no great surprise to the jaded crowds, when slotted in an equalizer for the visitors.

Prior to the match, Mihailovic addressed the Curva Nord in an attempt to heal the major rift between player and fans. Reactions were mixed, but for the greater part of the evening, the fans did as they'd promised and put their considerable vocal power into supporting the team.

With still only a handful of points seperating them from the relegation zone, and the threat of the remaining stars leaving in the summer, the gathering clouds are growing darker for Lazio.

The only bright ray for Lazio fans is that Juventus's success at the weekend, and Roma's lack of it, means that the Turin giants have now displaced Roma from the top of the table.

13 February 2002

Yesterday a large delegation of fans demonstrated outside Lazio's training centre Formello, expressing their anger with chants and banners criticising individual players. Director General Massimo Cragnotti and club captain and local hero Alessandro Nesta spoke with fans' representatives in an attempt to calm their mood and provide reassurances. According to the Gazzetta dello Sport, two of the players most victimised by bitter fans, Liverani and Pancaro, also met with a number of fans.

Massimo Cragnotti admitted that serious meetings had taken place within the club's hierarchy that morning, but denied that Zaccheroni's future was under discussion.

12 February 2002

Alberto Zaccheroni's position as Lazio manager looks increasingly under threat. Unsurprisingly, a growing number of voices suggest that Zac's time might be up. Erratic perfomances, a painfully obvious lack of team cohesion, and the failure to produce any credible threat in any competition mean that his future is at best uncertain.

Club owner Sergio Cragnotti has reportedly been in discussions with senior club officials and his most important players, Nesta and Crespo, about the situation.

The name of Zac's predecessor, Dino Zoff (sacked after a similarly bad spell at the beginning of the season) has even been mentioned.