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!
The saga is finally over!
Cristinal Ledesma has signed a contract extension with Lazio until 2015!
He will be paid from 1.2 or 1.6 milion Euros per season (figures vary from one source to another and it is not clear yet of that amount includes bonuses or not).
If you are a Lazio fan or follow Serie A in general, you must know how vital Cris is for the Lazio team.
One of the reasons for last year`s poor season was his exclusion from the team since he failed to find a common ground with Lotito to a contract extension. His relations with the team management had deteriorated to the extent of the matter going to the court. Hope this is over now.
The news of the renewal came from his web site through a very short notice saying: “Few moments ago, Cristian signed the contract. A dream come true”
For a Lazio fan, one could not have wanted a better news to start this week.
Forza Cris – uno di noi
And do the long awaited debut of Hernanes took place last night as Lazio took on Spanish side Deportivo La Coruna, in a friendly match that showed some glimpses that this team might actually be decent!
This match also served as official presentation of the Brazilian ace who had a NBA-style introduction before the fans. He was warmly received by the crowd – justly so.
Reja left Hernanes on the bench and put him in for Mauri in the second half.
He immediately showed everyone was is all the hype around him justified. He earned a penalty, scored from the spot and what is more important to me, made a fantastic assist to Floccari when the latter scored.
But, Lazio is not only Hernanes and it is worth mentioning that Mauri, Zarate, Rocchi, Lichsteiner, Stendardo all had positive performances. Foggia in the second half was in great form as well.
Lazio–Deportivo La Coruña 3-1 (1-1)
Lazio (4-3-1-2): Muslera (75′ Berni); Biava (46′ Radu), Stendardo (86′ Kozak), Dias (80′ Cribari); Lichtsteiner (75′ Scaloni), Gonzalez (46′ Brocchi), Ledesma (46′ Matuzalem), Mauri (50′ Hernanes), Garrido (75′ Del Nero); Rocchi (46′ Floccari), Zarate (46′ Foggia). All. Reja
Deportivo La Coruña (4-2-3-1): Felipe Ramos; Laure, Aythami, Ze’ Castro, Seoane; Juan Rodriguez, Antonio Tomas (56′ Ruben Perez); Desmarets (67′ Valeron), Michel (56′ Saul), Guardado (78′ Pablo Alvarez); Adrian (78′ Riki).
Possible tactical solution if we play 3-5-2; or 3-4-1-2
It was a pleasant surprise.
Hernanes returned from Brazil one day prior to his scheduled arrival.
After completing issues related to bureaucracy at the Italian Embassy in his native country, he took the first flight back to Rome.
He immediately went to Formello and joined his new team mates for his first training.
Reports suggest that he is in a very good physical form and ready for action. Below are some images from his first training with Lazio. As expected, he is usually accompanied by his co-patriots Dias and Matuzalem.
