LAZIO

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" Lazio coach Giuseppe Papadopulo is hankering after a contract extension even though his side are precariously placed in Serie A.

Papadopulo, who joined Lazio in the Christmas break following the dismissal of Mimmo Caso, wants the chance to take the Biancoceleste up from their current 15th place.

"If the club offered me the possibility to remain here for the next few years I would sign with my eyes shut," said an optimistic Papadopulo.

Unfortunately for Papadopulo, Lazio president Claudio Lotito has had his eyes wide open and he has seen the club's continuing flirtation with the relegation zone after a chronic last few months.

Although Lazio's ambition of playing in Europe next season is still within reach - the team are nine points behind sixth-placed Palermo - results suggest it is beyond them, with seven other teams in better shape also fighting for the two UEFA Cup spots.

Papadopulo has only managed 10 points in eight league games since taking over in Rome.

But he has shown that he has some fortune on his side for his team's latest triumph only came thanks to Fabio Liverani's 90th minute strike against bottom team Atalanta. The experienced Peruzzi is out for a month with a knee injury but midfielder Luciano Zauri will return to action after a four-month absence against Chievo.

Papadopulo added: "It's an important recovery considering that he will fill the void in the right wing."

Rivals Chievo, who are two places above Lazio, have had as topsy-turvy a time of it of late as Sunday's opponents.

They won against Livorno, lost against Udinese, beat Messina before conceding three without reply against Lecce last weekend. The hosts will be without suspended defender Lorenzo D'Anna and injured striker Amauri while Lazio will start with the attacking duo of Fabio Bazzani and the team's top scorer Tommaso Rocchi.

A relegation battle which neither team can afford to lose. Chievo have lost their early spark and losing more points will eventually move them closer to the relegation zone. On the other hand Lazio had a lot of trouble last Saturday to defeat an Atalanta side with a foot already in Serie B. Everything seems to indicate a draw as both teams will not want to risk anything.
 

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