Archive for the ‘Lazio’ Category

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.

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.

I start this daily roundup with new rumors that surfaced today in almost all Italian sport dailies, that apparently David Trezeguet, who fell out of favor at Juventus inquired through his agent about a possibility to join Lazio.
His agent Caliendo and pres. Lotito have an agreement but the ultimate decision falls on mister Reja who has to chose between Santa Cruz and Trezegoal.

At Formello, the team is making preparation for the first outing against Sampdoria at Marassi stadium on Sunday night, which at the same time is team`s official debut. Reports from Formello tell that Reja had fielded following teams during today`s training session:

Team 1, playing 3-4-2-1
Biava, Dias, Radu; Lichtsteiner, Brocchi, Matuzalem, Garrido; Hernanes, Zarate; Floccari

Team 2, playing 3-5-2
Diakitè, Stendardo, Cribari; Scaloni, Gonzalez, Ledesma, Mauri, Del Nero; Rocchi, Foggia

It remains to be seen in the next days what formation will Reja field against Sampdoria!

Latest report suggest that Lazio has signed Paraguqyin with Spanish passport, Roque Santa Cruz from Manchester City!
The player will arrive on loan with Lazio having an option to make the stay permanent for 8,5 mil Euros.
Because the player`s salary is beyond what Lazio can pay, it is believed that Manchester City will partially contribute to his payments!