This is an article featured in Corriere dello Sport today. I though of sharing Lotito`s thoughts about the transfer campaign and plans for January.

«The lack of Santa Cruz`s arrival is not a disappointment. We decided to take some time and wait for the January mercato campaign in order asses if it is right to make another acquisition, given that we already have Zarate, Floccari, Rocchi and Foggia in that role. Also, Hernanes could likewise play in the offensive department, without forgetting young Kozak. For that matter, we`ll talk again in January».
Lazio President Claudio Lotito admits that Santa Cruz`s arrival to the Capital was only because of the choice of the biancoceleste team: «We had a transfer campaign in agreement with Reja – said Lotito in an interview to “Dimensione Suono Roma” – in defense, we deemed not to intervene, but are programming an potential signing in defense in January, (Lugano in pole-position)».

NEW PLAYERS IN JANUARY – Lazio boss confirms that one of the players who could strengthen Lazio in January is Uruguay captain Lugano, but yet acknowledges that the current roster at Reja`s disposition is very competitive «Now it remains up to the team and the coach to bring the results in the field. The potential is there, the roster is competitive. Champions, Never say Neveri». Mauro Zarate is the future of Lazio for whom president Lotito rejected an offer from Tottenham in the amount of 20 milion euros: «I don`t take into consideration bids for Zarate – concluded Lotito – the Argentinian is off the market and a point of reference for the club».

Yesterday at 7PM was the deadline for transfer window that as usual, in our eyes as fans lasts for far too long.
The expected arrival of Roque Santa Cruz failed, despite the deal being struck several days and the player was expected in Rome in Sunday and then Monday.
Today`s newspapers indicate that 2 scenarios as to the failure of the deal:
- After shipping Robinho, Man City changed their mind and no longer wanted to let go of the player; and
- The agreement over the details of the payment of player`s salary could not be found.
Tare has apparently been on the phone up to 5.30 to try to figure out a deal, but to no avail.
I guess the real reasons will be told by the player himself, his agent or Tare/Lotito one day.

On the other note, what Tare did manage to do is to offload Emilson Cribari to Napoli for half a million Euros and that was an excellent move as it was obvious that Crib was out of favor.

A surprising revelation arrived today regarding Pablo Pintos: in fact he did not go on loan to Getafe, but the deal is permanent and he signed a 5 years contract with the Spanish team. Apparently he never managed to convince Edy Reja nor the management that he is worth taking an EU spot next summer and with a possible emergence of Cavanda, that was the best option for all.

All in all, we managed to sign 4 players this summer and offload 14, which is a great achievement.

Incoming

1. Gonzales (Nazional Montevideo), obtained an Italian passport
2. Mark Bresciano (Palermo) free transfer
3. Garrido (Man City – just under 3 mil Euros)
4. Hernanes (Sao Paolo – 13,5 mil Euros)

Outgoing:

1. Simone Inzaghi; (youth team coach)
2. Julio Ricardo Cruz; (mutual contract termination)
3. Sebastiano Siviglia (end of contract)
4. Roberto Baronio; (end of contract)
5. Thomas Hitzlsperger (West Ham)
6. Eliseu; (Malaga) permanent
7. Makinwa: (Larissa) on loan
8. Carrizo: (River Plate) on loan
9. Faraoni (Inter)
10. Kolarov (Man City)
11. Dabo (quit football)
12. Zauri (Samp) on loan;[Samp has the right to buy him perm]
13. Pintos (Getafe) permanent;
14. Cribari (Napoli) permanent.

Of course, the team still has some dead wood, namely Bonetto, Quadri, Correa, Manfredini, Perpetuini and to some extent Scaloni, but some of them run out of contract next year so I guess we have to cope with them for a while.

Having carefully watched the opening Lazio fixture, I rate as follows the players involved against Sampdoria:

Muslera: 5 – Brilliant until the moment of the second goal; However, can not deserve more as he was to blame for Sampdoria`s second goal;
Biava: 6,5 – The best of three defenders that night. Having to deal with a nasty Cassano all night long is not the easiest things to do. Often would chase Cassano until the middle of the park.
Dias: 6 – Overall a fine appearance by the Brazilian. Booked in the first half, which hampers his game during the rest of the match.
Radu: 5.5 – A pale display from the Romanian against Samp. Not fully fit to a full 90 minutes. We need his best again.
Lichtsteiner: 4.5 – Probably his poorest performance since his arrival to Lazio. Poor crosses, movement and most importantly, caused the penalty which changed the match and which could have been avoided easily.
Ledesma: 6 – Nothing special by Cris. Had a nice shot on goal in the first half and usual ball distribution but with no effect whatsoever.
Matuzalem: 6 – A lot of running and ground covering by Matu, but he failed to materialize his huge workload. No shots on goal, no penetrations in the box which characterize his game.
Del Nero: 6 – Good movements on the left and not bad at all at defending. However, we need more from him when in possession of the ball – perhaps a cross or two here and there and not immediately seek to find Zarate.
Hernanes: 6,5 – A decent match for Hernanes considering his debut in Serie A against a tough opponent like Samp. A nice shot in the first half that skimmed Curci`s goal. Nice passes and vision of the match.
Zarate: 6 – I expected more from Maurito, but he was under pressure each time he had the ball. No space to shoot and test Curci. Occasionally to selfish.
Floccari: 5.5 – Save for a fine header in the first half, Sergia was lost against Samp. He was slow and kind of tired in the season opener. We need much more from him.

Subs:
Cavanda: 6.5 – what a prospect this guy is. He is the future of our right hand side. He is already fit to play and he should be Licht`s natural replacement and not Scaloni. He nearly scored after a massive shot from over 20 meters.
Foggia and Rocchi – not rated [they entered when everything was all over and Lazio had no physical fitness to overcome 2 goals deficit.

Edy Reja: 5 – He is not to blame that we lost but I give him this mark for 2 reasons: needless protest which sent him off and totally stupid substitutions. Why Cavanda for Del Nero ? When you are losing, you don`t take out someone like Zarate who can distract at all times opponent`s defense;

The match at Marassi just ended.
Sampdoria won 2-0 with Cassano scoring from the penalty kick and Guberti who sent a loose ball in Lazio`s net.
An extensive match report tomorrow.

Sampdoria: Curci; Zauri, Gastaldello, Lucchini, Ziegler; Semioli (Mannini 92), Palombo, Dessena; Guberti (Koman 75); Pazzini, Cassano

Lazio: Muslera; Biava, Dias, Radu; Lichtsteiner (Rocchi 74), Ledesma, Matuzalem, Del Nero (Cavanda 57); Hernanes, Zarate (Foggia 69); Floccari

First half
Sampdoria starts better, but only after 6-7 minutes Lazio players assume control of the match and for 35 minutes dominate ball possession and chances. New comer Hernanes shows his intelligence by providing some nice balls in particular by often engaging Lichtsteiner on the right, but the latter than wastes most of the balls.
In this frame, our players had 3 chances all of which could have easily be concerted into goals:
First Zarate dribbles on the left and finds Ledesma who shots few inches from the right post of Curci, pretty close indeed.
Minutes after, it is Hernanes` chance to shoot. The ball goes the same way as the one shot by Ledesma.
Third chance came after a cross from the left side, Floccari heads it an excellent way by Curci somehow manages to defend it.
A pretty Lazio team in the first half with only a goal missing to crown the domination.

Second half
It begins with Lazio again fully dominating and attacking from both sides. This last for 5-6 minutes when the host team somehow gets back into the game. It is evident that they were better physically prepared as they started training earlier due to engagement in European competitions.
And then comes the moment that changed the match: after a cross from the right side, Lichtsteiner brings down Dessena and the referee awards penalty kick. One could argue that it was a clean duel in the air. Reja complains and gets sent off as a consequence. Cassano converts the goal.
And while Lazio players fail to find the lost ground, after another corner kick from the rights side, Muslera leaves the goal to clear the ball but only to give the ball to Guberti who lobs it through out entire defense and 2-0.
Lazio players were following that unable to press and endanger the lead of Sampdoria. Several substitutions were made but to no avail. Lazio goes down in the first outing of the season and loses but provides a fine display which is encouraging.

[UPDATE 2] Short of any last minute surprises, Lazio team will tonight be fielded like this:

[UPDATE 1] After today`s training session, this is the list of players called up for the match against Sampdoria:
Goalkeepers: Muslera, Berni
Difendors: Radu, Stendardo, Andrè Dias, Diakitè, Cavanda, Biava, Lichsteiner.
Midfielders: Hernanes, Del Nero, Ledesma, Mauri, Brocchi, Matuzalem.
Forwards: Rocchi, Zarate, Floccari, Kozak, Foggia

And here we go, we are few hours away from the kick off of new Serie A season 2010/11!
All Lazio fans will agree with me that what we don`t want definitely this season is the repeat of the last one when we basically had to fight for survival until the penultimate day of the season.

That is past us now and we now anticipate and look forward to a totally different season from the last one.
An exciting transfer campaign that saw the arrival of Hernanes, Bresciano, Garrido and Gonzales and quite possible arrival of Roque Santa Cruz make us all more optimistic before the kick off.

And so after Sampdoria were tragically eliminated from Champions League group states at the hands of Werder Bremen, they are now a hurt animal and will come up with everything they got to prove the last season was not a coincidence and to forget that said defeat and elimination from CL group stages.

In terms of roster, Reja missed newcomers Bresciano and Garrido from most of this week due to a light injuries and they are doubtful for this season opened. Taking into consideration the training session from the entire week as well as friendly vs. Deportivo, I expect Reja to field the following team:

Muslera:
Biava – Dias – Radu
Lichtsteiner-Ledesma-Matuzalem-Del Nero
Zarate – Hernanes
Floccari

I will update this post in case of new developments concerning the formation.

Just a brief one today before the match preview vs. Samp is published tomorrow.

It appears Lazio will move for Santa Cruz and we failed to meet the deadline given by Trezeguet`s agent. The latter is expected to sign with a Spanish side Hercules Alicante or sth like that.

All paths now lead towards finalizing and officializing the deal with Roque Santa Cruz.
The sooner the better for all.

Toda`y training session Reja is dedicating to dead ball situations, crosses, corners, free kicks etc.

Italian daily La Republica is pretty sure that Uruguay and Fenerbahce central defender Diego Lugano will play for Lazio…but…from January. According to the same paper, all details are finalized. Let me remind you that last summer we were so close to signing this lad but on the last moment the Turkish side offered him a massive contract and he opted to sign for them instead.
Now it remains to be seen till January what will happen.