Derby County 1 SS Lazio 2

Derby County: Poom, Barton (Mawene 78), Boertien, Higginbotham, Jackson, Bolder, Lee (Grenet 77), Murray (Mustoe 77), Ravanelli (Strupar 79), Christie (Tudgay 83), Morris (Twigg 78).

Lazio's starting line-up:
Marchegiani; Oddo, Negro, Nesta, Pancaro; Gottardi, Simeone, Baronio, Cesar; Inzaghi, Crespo

Rams in warm-up for their last pre-season game against SS Lazio

Derby County ended their pre-season friendly last night with a 2-1 defeat by SS lazio. The Rams where by no means second best to the Italian side and with luck could have drawn or even won this game.

The Rams took to the field and looked the better of the two teams in the opening minutes, with neat passing and off the ball running.

The lazio midfielder Simeone became the crowd’s enemy number one and was roundly booed every time he touched the ball. Was it really over four years ago that he was instrumental in the sending off of England’s David Beckham during the 1998 World Cup?

Lazio where first on the score sheet however with Gottardi scoring midway through the first period. The Italian side had chances prior to the goal following mistakes in the Rams defence, but good covering tackles from Higginbotham, Rob Lee and saves from Poom prevented any score.

Japp Stam(right),ex Manchester United star prepares to enter last nights friendly against the Rams

The Rams where unlucky to find themselves one goal down at half time and the 19,688 crowd tried to lift them as the second half began. The Rams looked the more likely to score and after 15 minutes the home crowd had something to cheer as Adam Murray, who had an excellent game, slammed home the ball after the Lazio keeper had palmed away a header from Fabrizio Ravanelli.

The game was delicately poised with half an hour left but it was the Italian side that took the game with 17 minutes of the game left. Clinical finishing from Hernan Crespo left Mart Poom flatfooted as the ball was squeezed between himself and his right hand post.

A disappointing result it may have been but John Gregory must be feeling optimistic as the new season approaches. He saw his team match and at times out play a Lazio side that had already i

Lazio Warm up before last nights 2-1 win over the Rams

nflicted a 1-0 defeat on Liverpool in their pre-season tour.

It all bodes well for Saturday and I hope like myself you are eagerly waiting for 3-00pm Saturday!