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Goran Pandev's goal gave Lazio a sorely needed away victory despite going down to 10 men, but it was a dismal debut for Livorno boss Giancarlo Camolese.
This match was very high-risk due to the fierce political rivalry between Livorno's far-left ultras and the far-right Lazio fans. There were more pressing concerns on the pitch, as between them these sides had managed just one Serie A victory all season. That start cost Nando Orsi his job, so Camolese made his debut on the Amaranto bench.
David Balleri sat out a one-match ban, but Luis Vidigal was injured, but former Lazio midfielders Emanuele and Antonio Filippini were left on the bench. Curiously, the Biancocelesti had not won in Livorno since a 3-2 result in February 1939!
Lazio boss Delio Rossi marked the 500th match of his Coaching career. Tommaso Rocchi went close with a couple of early opportunities, then there was a splendid team move with a series of one-touch passes but Goran Pandev's finish was too central to trouble Marco Amelia.
Sebastiano Siviglia had penalty appeals for a tug from Fabio Galante, but already without Cristian Ledesma, Lazio also lost Stefano Mauri to injury. Rocchi hesitated in a good scoring position when combining with Pandev.
Lazio broke the deadlock in first half stoppages. Pandev started the move and finished it, exchanging passes with Rocchi and his low drive from the edge of the area took a decisive deflection off Iranian defender Rahman Rezaei to leave Amelia stranded.
Roberto Baronio's curling free kick was fingertipped out of the top corner by Amelia, but Lazio were forced to play the final 20 minutes with 10 men after Fabio Firmani's second bookable offence in the space of eight minutes.
Livorno tried to fight back, but Pasquale ballooned over the bar with the goal gaping and Marco Ballotta smothered a Nico Pulzetti piledriver. Instead, Amelia had to fingertip a Pandev solo effort round the upright.
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