Lazio Back Number List

This is the list of back number of Lazio's players:

1   -  Albano Bizzari

2   -  Stephan Lichtsteiner

3   -  Andre Dias

4   -  Fabio Firmani

5   -  Lionel Scaloni

6   -  Stefano Mauri

7   -  Gonzalo Barreto

8   -  Luciano Zauri

9   -  Tommaso Rocchi

10 -  Mauro Zarate

12 -  Tommaso Berni

13 -  Guglielmo Stendardo

14 -  Javier Garrido

15 -  Alvaro Gonzalez

16 -  Riccardo Perpetuini

17 -  Pasquale Foggia

18 -  Libor Kozak

20 -  Giuseppe Biava

21 -  Mobido Diakite

22 -  Sergio Floccari

23 -  Mourad Meghni

24 -  Cristian Ledesma

25 -  Emilson Cribari

26 -  Stefan Radu

30 -  Francelino Matuzalem

32 -  Cristian Brocchi

55 -  Lucas Correa

68 -  Christian Manfredini

79 -  Riccardo Bonneto

80 -  Mark Bresciano

81 -  Simone Del Nero

86 -  Fernando Muslera

Super Zarate Sents Lazio to the second Place

Biancoceleste enjoyed most of the chances in the opening period and Mauro Zarate saw a wonderful effort come crashing off the woodwork following a decisive intervention from Stefano Sorrentino.

Zarate had more joy after the break as he tore through the Chievo defense to bury his first goal in seven months of trying. Despite throwing everything back at the Biancoceleste the Flying Donkeys had no reply and were forced to suffer a second consecutive defeat at the Stadio Bentegodi.

The win launched Lazio to ten points level with leaders Inter at the top of the standings. Chievo are just one point off the pace and remain a side full of potential given their performances in the opening five rounds.

Biancoceleste were looking dangerous down the flanks and Stephan Lichtsteiner lofted a wonderful cross onto the head of Stefano Mauri only to see his teammate head wide on 15 minutes.

Lazio went agonizingly close on the half hour mark when Hernanes’ low drive skimmed just wide of the post. Seconds later Zarate went even closer when his shot on the turn came crashing off the upright following a decisive intervention by Sorrentino.

The no.10 squandered a golden chance to break the deadlock shortly before the break when Sergio Floccari’s cross fell at his feet just yards out. After spraying over in front of an empty net, ‘Maurito’ then apologized to his bench for the missed opportunity.

After the break Hernanes continued to run the show in the middle of the park as he twisted and turned leaving the Gialloblu with their hands full at the back. The Biancocelesti had been forced deeper by Chievo’s higher defensive line however, and the chances in front of goal were reduced to a minimum.

The deadlock was finally broken on 68 minutes when Zarate tore through enemy lines and coolly slotted a shot inside the far post. It was a crucial moment for Lazio and the Argentine as they got their noses in front just as the home side started to up the tempo.

Despite the setback Chievo came flying back at the Aquile making for a wonderful spectacle in the closing minutes. With tensions rising the tackles soon started to fly as both side’s showed how much it meant to them to be able to join Inter at the top of the standings.

With no reply it was Lazio who celebrated victory to stretch their unbeaten run to four games; an incredible feat given the difficulties suffered last term. The Flying Donkeys fell to their second consecutive loss at the Stadio Bentegodi but remain just one point off the pace. 

 

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Lazio 1-1 Milan: Sergio Floccari Leaves It Late To Steal A Point For The Aquile

 

Zlatan Ibrahimovic looked to have given Milan all three points tonight, but a fine goal by Sergio Floccari with ten minutes left earned a morale boosting 1-1 draw for Lazio.

The Rossoneri began the match brightly and had the majority of possession but failed to make their chances count, as the hosts gradually grew into the game.

The first ten minutes created one quality chance, that falling to Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The big Swede broke the offside trap as Ronaldinho played him in, but Fernando Muslera made himself big in the Lazio goal, closing the angle and blocked well.

Thiago Silva was angered at his team's concentration levels last week and he was sharp early on to cut out a good ball by Pasquale Foggia.

Ibrahimovic brought the best out of Muslera once more. Milan piled the pressure on Lazio and some nice foot work allowed the Swede to release a snap shot in the box, which deflected en route to goal and only a strong hand kept it from the bulging the net.

 
Hernanes had been quiet for Lazio but sprung to life after twenty minutes winning the hosts a corner but Milan saw it out with ease.

Zambrotta was being kept busy by Foggia and young full-back Luis Cavanda, who was brave to bomb forward leaving Ronaldinho hugging the left touch line.

Lazio saw out the opening barrage from Milan and started to present a threat themselves. Gennaro  Gattuso forced to concede a foul in a dangerous position when Ignazio Abate failed to track back. Hernanes drilled it round the wall and Christian Abbiati made an excellent save.

Lazio were outnumbering Milan in midfield preventing Andrea Pirlo and Clarence Seedorf from really controlling proceedings. Hernanes was beginning to look really class, skipping away from two players but scuffed his shot just wide of the post from twenty yards. Stefano Mauri then forced Abbiati into a reaction save breaking quickly into the penalty area.

The Sky Blues left Sergio Floccari on his own upfront and were reliant on runners from midfield to get between the visitors defence. The birthday boy Floccari needed support but Lazio were reluctant to push men forward as Pirlo controlled the midfield with more incision in the second period.
 
Cavanda continued to look confident making a excellent break down the right, a neat one-two got him to the edge of the area but his cross was blocked. Hernanes again set Lazio on their way shortly after. The Brazilian started and ended the move, trying to curl the ball beyond Abbiati but the Milan 'keeper got down well.
Ibrahimovic had a frustrating second half but he was the man to break the deadlock just after the hour mark. The striker hung to the last man and a good ball into space allowed him to break free. The former Barcelona man showed good composure to knick the ball round Muslera and then bravery to add the final touch into the empty net with two desperate defenders sliding in.

Sergio Floccari got his birthday present with ten minutes remaining. Hernanes darted through three defenders and drilled his cross along the six yards box, which Floccari hammered into the roof of the net. The Olympic Stadium erupted despite Milan protests that Lazio didn't kick the ball out with Abate down with cramp.

Tommaso Rocchi came close to turning the game round completely stealing free at the near post but couldn't connect properly with his shot.

Zambrotta almost stole the show for the Rossoneri with three minutes left on the clock. The left-back struck a thunderbolt from distance, which rattled the framework of the goal but Lazio held on as Milan introduced Robinho in search of victory.

Hernanes Looking To Take More Points Against Milan

Lazio midfielder Hernanes believes his side have the cutting edge to inflict more damage on Milan when the two clash on Wednesday night.

The Rossoneri are trying to recover from their 1-1 draw against Catania at the weekend, but Hernanes is eager to ensure the points remain in Rome.

He feels Milan's Champions League commitments both last week and next mean they will be weaker for it.

"It was important to start the season well so we could gain trust in the group," he told the press.

"Our team doesn't have to play in other competitions, whereas the others have to play important games, meaning they will be tired.

"We have to try to win as many points as we can early on so that we can gain an advantage early."

Mauro Zarate & Robinho Likely Starters In Lazio-Milan Clash

Milan ace Robinho and Lazio striker Mauro Zarate could go head to head when the two teams clash at the Olimpico on Wednesday night.

Both men were missing from their sides' fixtures at the weekend. Robinho didn't feature in Milan's 1-1 draw against Catania, while Zarate saw his side win 2-1 at Fiorentina.

However, Milannews reports Robinho is likely to start for Massimiliano Allegri's side when they head to the capital.

Allegri won't have Alexandre Pato, who is injured, but Ronaldinho, Filippo Inzaghi and Zlatan Ibrahimovic are all fit.

Zarate meanwhile has made it clear he wants to start for the Capitolini, despite squabbles with coach Edy Reja.

"I want to be there against Milan," he told the press

Fiorentina 1-2 Lazio: Biancoceleste Come From Behind To Win Second Successive League Fixture

A second-half goal from substitute Libor Kozak saw Lazio accomplish a 2-1 comeback victory over Fiorentina in a Serie A game at the Stadio Artemio Franchi in Florence on Saturday evening.

The Viola had taken the lead as early as the 19th minute, thanks to a Adem Ljajic spot-kick, but Edy Reja's side equalized just after the half-hour mark when a Cristian Ledesma shot was deflected off Manuel Pasqual into the net.

Then midway through the second-half Kozak popped up with the winner that sees Lazio fly high in the league.

The match commenced on a bright note for Fiorentina, who crafted their first chance as early as the third minute when Juan Manuel Vargas whipped in a cross from the left that was put just wide by Ljajic.

Four minutes later the Viola came close again but this time Alessio Cerci failed to find the target.

Lazio then started to get on to the action as Tommaso Rocchi released Hernanes for a ferocious strike at goal that Sebastien Frey just about managed to keep it out of the Viola goal.

Soon after Vargas attempted an audacious shot from an acute angle for Fiorentina.

The hosts eventually got their reward for their attacking display on 19 minutes when Cerci was pulled down inside the Lazio penalty area by Lorenzo De Silvestri and Ljajic successfully converted the resulting spot-kick.

However, the Aquile didn’t lose heart and went in search of an equalizer. Mark Bresciano could have restored parity midway through the first half when he tried a shot on the Fiorentina goal but couldn’t hit the target.

Edy Reja’s side did finally equalize and the goal came two minutes after the half hour mark. A quick attacking move from Lazio put the Viola defense into disarray and Ledesma saw his shot from inside the 18-yard box get deflected off Pasqual into the net.

The Biancocelesti could have made it 2-1 five minutes later had Bresciano’s stinging shot not sailed over the crossbar. Moments later Alberto Gilardino headed home a Cristiano Zanetti cross at the other end but it was ruled out for offside.

The second half started on a rather more tactical note as both teams tried to measure each other. The only chance of any kind created in the first ten minutes of the restart was done so by Lazio when Stefano Mauri released Rocchi down the left but to no avail.

However, on the hour mark Vargas found himself unmarked on the left side of the Aquile penalty area and the Peru international winger fired a shot that just went narrowly wide of the near post.

Fiorentina were forced to pay for that miss in the 67th minute when second-half substitute Kozak found the net from just yards out for the visitors. Skipper Mauri carved out the initially cross from the left that Hernanes shot at the Fiorentina goal. Frey spilled it and Kozak was quick to react.

Sinisa Mihajlovic’s side then went out in search of an equaliser but failed to create much except a Khouma Babacar shot that didn’t trouble Fernando Muslera much between the Lazio sticks and a De Silvestri attempt that went straight to the goalkeeper.

The 2-1 win for Lazio is their second win in a row in Serie A this season while Fiorentina's poor run in the league continues as they have now picked up just one point from their opening three games.

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"Eat, Pray, Love" - Not exactly going by the book

Film adaptations of popular literature are commonplace nowadays and the public have largely become accustomed to witnessing various amendments of the script. However, on occasion, there are movies that are altered to the point of audience alienation. “Eat, Pray, Love,” which hits Italian cinema today is a noteworthy example, particularly for our tifosi.

The memoir recalls the story of author, Elizabeth Gilbert as she ventures off to Italy, India and Indonesia to help heal her life wounds. Her Italian adventure incorporates a visit to the Stadio Olimpico and she begins to understand the rivalry that exists within the capital between Lazio and Roma. In reality and in the book, this experience is shared with Luca Spaghetti and other laziali. It would be disappointing but perhaps comprehensible if this chapter of her journey was omitted in the creative process but sadly, the production crew couldn't even muster that level of kindness for us. 

Instead, we are subjected to a distorted version of the truth as the biancocelesti faithful are replaced with giallorossi imitations. The Lazio fans of the book have become the Roma fans of the movie. Suffice to say, there is a storm brewing in a teacup with this saga and rightly so. With Julia Roberts as the main protagonist and a star-studded cast in general, this false depiction is worth battling as this is a potential Hollywood blockbuster that does more than minimise or nullify the passion of our supporters.

Hence, the proposal from lalaziosiamonoi is to boycott the cinema wherever you are in the world and let your curiosity for “Eat, Pray, Love” extend no further than your home computer or television set and a copy on DVD.

Muslera: "I hope to renew soon"

After the victory against Bologna, Lazio goalkeeper Fernando Muslera has also talked about his contract situation: "I am waiting to sign. They have told me that an agreement has been found, though nonody has talked to me any more about this situation on the last couple of days. I have talked with both Daniel and the club, and they have confirmed that everything is fine. I hope that I will be able to sign soon, even because I want to remain with this people as long as possible. I feel the love of the crowd that has substained me even after the mistake made in Genoa".

Santa Cruz open to future Lazio move

Manchester City striker Roque Santa Cruz has not given up hope of playing in Serie A in the future.

The Paraguay striker came close to joining the Lazio only for the deal to fall through on the final day of the window.

Despite also being linked with Fulham, the 29-year-old Santa Cruz remained at City.

Santa Cruz, who is on international duty with Paraguay this week, said to Rome's Corriere dello Sport: "I had hoped to arrive in Rome, that was my dream.

"Unfortunately, the deal fell through.

"There has been a lot of talk of my arrival to Italy and perhaps next time it will materialise."

Lazio themselves have not ruled out making another attempt to acquire Santa Cruz in January.

"We will see what happens in the next few months," said Santa Cruz.

"I don't like to look too far away and I don't know what Lazio's intentions are.

"I have received many offers but I had hoped to play in Rome.

"I have happy in England but Italian football fascinates me and I would love to have an experience in Serie A."

Fernando Meira is close

According to Russian press, Lazio are close to sign Zenit centre-back Fernando Meira (32). The Portuguese player is also a Galatasaray and Stuttgart target, but at the moment, Lazio is the first option for the next transfer market.

Simeone dreaming of a training charge

Interviewed by Gazzetta TV, Argentinian former international midfielder Diego Simeone, currently unemployed after having trained Racing de Avellaneda, Estudiantes, River Plate and San Lorenzo, revealed his will to join back Lazio a a trainer. El Cholo stated: "Since I'd like to train the club I played for, my heart would bring me to Lazio: my years spent in Rome have been special, our supporters meant a lot to me. Inter might probably offer a more competitive roster, but Lazio would be a passionate choice, and I feel someday I will work for them again".

Lichtsteiner: "My future? I don't want to think about this."

Lazio defender Stephan Lichtsteiner can see no differences with Roma. The Swiss international feels his side can compete on an equal level with their city rivals, and used the opportunity to throw down the gauntlet. "This team has the qualities to do very well this year," the stopper told Il Corriere dello Sport.

"I don't agree with those who say that Roma are superior to us. We are perfectly capable of competing with them. "Last year we were better than them in both Roman derbies."

And despite being linked with Spanish giants Real Madrid, the stopper has no immediate plans to leave the capital. "My future? I don't want to think about this. I am well at Lazio. It's clear though that it's nice to be linked with Real Madrid."

Mauro Zarate Could Leave For Real Madrid

 Mauro Zarate faces a future away from Lazio as Argentinian agent Jose Alberti claims a Real Madrid interest.

Zarate has endured a tough 12 months at the club and has been linked with an exit on numerous occasions.

President Claudio Lotito has always maintained his support for the hitman, claiming he would not be sold.

But Alberti, who is a close friend of Zarate but not his agent, feels he should move on and try out a Spanish experience.

"If he leaves Rome, he could consider Spain, he should go to Real," the agent is quoted as saying on Tribalfootball.com
"He has told me he wants to succeed with Lazio in Italy.

"But from what has happened to him lately, I can see him far from Italy."

Reports suggest the hitman is at odds with coach Edy Reja. Il Corriere dello Sport claims Lazio are looking at Villarreal striker Giuseppe Rossi, suggesting he would be a replacement for Zarate.

Lazio Eye January Swoop For Villarreal Striker Giuseppe Rossi

Giuseppe Rossi is a January transfer for target for Lazio according to Corrierie dello Sport.

Club president Claudio Lotito holds the Villarreal star in high regards and informed the player of his admiration during Italian national team duty.

Rossi, who was born in New Jersey but has Italian ancestry, has made no secret of his desire to return to Italy, having previously played there for Parma, and it is believed a fee in the region of €15 million might be enough to tempt the Yellow Submarines to part with their small talent.

However, Lazio will study the developments of their own strikers until the half-way point of the season before deciding on whether to unsettle their forward line.

Edy Reja Satisfied Following Victory Over Bologna

After watching his Lazio outfit pick up their first victory of the season in a hard fought encounter against Bologna, coach Edy Reja praised the opposition for the manner in which they put his side into difficulty for over an hour.

“Even Inter had difficulty against Bologna,” he declared to SkySport. “It is true we struggled a little in the opening period but after the re-start we found a way through and then we started to really get going.

“I was a little let down with the manner in which we conceded because the concentration dropped a little and it could have ended up costing us.

The coach was then probed as to the situation regarding star man Mauro Zarate after the Argentine was substituted for the second time in a fortnight.

“Zarate is working well,” continued the coach.

“There are no issues surrounding the boy and all he needs is a goal to get his confidence back. Should the results continue to flow I am sure he will get firing again soon.”

Lazio 3-1 Bologna: Super Rocchi Inspires Aquile To Victory

Lazio picked up their first points of the season after seeing off a spirited Bologna side at  the Stadio Olimpico.

The home side started brightly with Hernanes immediately proving influential behind Mauro Zarate and Tommaso Rocchi.

Under the intense Roman sun both sides were running at a canter as they failed to pick up the tempo in the opening stages. Edy Reja had opted to utilize a classic 4-4-2 but the Biancocelesti lacked fluidity as they continued to launch long balls forward.

The only real scoring chance of the first half fell to Hernanes who unleashed a powerful drive from range on 36 minutes. Emiliano Viviano proved in fine form between the sticks however and the sides went in all square at the break.Coach Reja looked to shuffle the pack by introducing Libor Kozak for Zarate after the re-start. The young hitman immediately made an impact and had a decent penalty shout waved away following a heavy challenge by Daniele Portanova.

The deadlock was finally broken on 69 minutes when Mauri tapped home from close range following an expert square ball by captain Rocchi. With Lazio camped in the visitors half the goal had been coming, and the Olimpico faithful demonstrated their appreciation.

Rocchi doubled the Aquile’s lead 15 minutes from time with a delightful chip over Viviano from 12 yards. The Lazio captain was then spared a standing ovation after making way for Pasquale Foggia.

Bologna refused to let their heads drop and it was a former Biancocelesti favorite who reopened the tie just minutes later. Mudingayi unleashed a rocket past Fernando Muslera, but the Belgian refused to celebrate in front of his former fans.

Late into stoppage time new favorite Hernanes even found time to get on the score sheet after converting from the penalty spot. The goal was the icing on the cake for the Brazilian who rounded off his home debut under the Curva Nord.

The win gifted Lazio their first points of the season and moved the Aquile back into the upper realms of the standings. Bologna were left empty handed despite a spirited display and the Rossoblu remain on the solo point mark following their opening round stalemate against Inter.

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