Did you see the final of UEFA Champions League between Chelsea against Bayern Muenchen last saturday? For the blues fans, I want to say congratulation for the succees to win the Champions League title this season.
In this article, actually I want to focus about the coach who was success to bring Chelsea into the highest position in the European football. In the past, Di Matteo had a relationship with Lazio. Yes, he is former player of Lazio in 90's era. As caretaker fopr Chelsea, Di Matteo has just realized the dream of Roman Abramovich to conquer the european championship this season.
His name also linked to be coach Lazio for next season replacing Edy Reja. But, it's just only a rumour. With Di Matteo succeed, maybe Abramovich will permanent this contract in Chelsea.
WELL, CONGRATULATIONS ROBERTO DI MATTEO FOR THE TITLE...!!
According to lazioland.comlazioland.com, two players of Lazio, Albano Bizzarri and Lionel Scaloni have earned themselves contract extensions for next season. Both players have been confirmed for next season, however the duration of each contract have not been released yet.
Scaloni
played well when asked upon this year to replace Konko's position, especially his performance in
the Derby, while the goalkeeper Bizzarri showed his worth with some good performances
following Marchetti's suspension and was a key component in Lazio's win
over Inter in the last fixture of Serie A. Congratulations to both of you!! ^_^
Finally, the time had come.Football season in Italy was over. Lazio and our coach, Edy Reja parted ways.EdyRejaannouncedhe wasleavingthe clubpresidentClaudioLotitoevenstill wantto stay.RejadesiretoleaveLaziowas already long.66-year-old coachhad twiceoffered to resign,butrejectedthe club management.
However,nowReja's decisionwas unanimous.Heinsistedtoleavethis summer. "MyAdventureswithLazio's over," saidRejatoittaceleste.it. "PresidentLotitohas givensupport to meand asked me tosurvive.Althoughmy resignationwas rejected,andheasked meto thinkagainfor a week,Istick withmy decision."
After he stated his resignation, Reja was linked with Fiorentina.But againRejaassertsthatallthe newsabout himandFiorentinais simply not true."For nowIprobablywould not considerany bids.Iwant to rest to coach about a year," saidReja.
While the president club, Claudio Lotito published an official statement signed by him and it waved good bye to Edy Reja. The statement read (translated from Italian by lazioland.com):
"Dear
Coach, although respecting your decision to cease your collaboration
with Lazio, I cannot help but represent the sincere disappointment with
which I personally, the club and the players took the news,” wrote
Lotito.
Your management has taken this team to
important results over the last two years and you had the merit of
creating a solid and coherent ‘group,’ thanks to the character you gave
them.
You also had the necessary strength to
overcome at times harsh criticism, inspiring security and calm in the
Lazio camp, which were necessary to achieve these results.
Lazio
are grateful for all you have done and the teachings I will treasure. I
want you to know that the doors of Formello will always be open for
you, in the certainty this group will remain in your heart as a symbol
of one of the greatest moments of your career."
Alessandro Nesta, our beloved former captain finally ends his career in Serie A. Several days before the final fixture of Serie A this season, Nesta held a press conference to tell the media about the continuity of his career after his contract in Milan is terminated at the end of the season.
WhereNestawill be anchorednext season,until nowhe himselfhas notgivena definitive answer.Butthere's a chancehewillcontinuea careerin the Major League Soccer of UnitedStates.
"It'sa wonderful10yearswithMilan.In February,I'vedecidedthatthisismy lastseasonfor Milan.I have alsobeenreportedonboard(the club)," he continued. "Ido notknowwhereto playnext seasonbecauseIhave notsigned anything.I'mconsideringoffers fromthe United States.Milantriedto convincemetostayfor another year,butI'vemade a decision,"
In the last match of Serie A this season, Nesta played his last match with Milan when He came from the bench. Milanisti, held a farewell greetings for him by spread his giant jersey replica. Actually, I hope that Nesta will rejoin with Lazio inj the end of his career, but Universe of Lazio respect your decision Il Capitano ^_^
Yesterday is the birthday of Andre Dias, but today is owned by Lionel Scaloni, the Argentinian wing back from Lazio. He's already 34 years old now.
"Istillwantandreallywant togivemycontributiontoLazionext season", said Scaloni. "My birthdaygiftisa contract extension? It wouldbe thewonderfulgift for me. But we'restillgoing to meet the managementnext week"
Yesterday is the birthday of Andre Dias, Brazilian centre back of Lazio. Unfortunately, He is still struggling from his injury. So, Universe of Lazio hope that Dias will recover soon.
After the final fixture of Serie A passed over, many Laziale ask about Edy Reja's future in Lazio. The future of him is likely to be resolved in the next few days according to the club’s sporting director Igli Tare. The tactician admitted he may not be coach of the Biancocelesti next
season and earlier in this campaign he also offered his resignation
which was rejected by the club.
Lazio defeated Inter at the Stadio Olimpico 3-1 on Sunday to secure Europa League football next term. “I have to compliment the lads and the staff. Unfortunately, in the
crucial moments of the season we lacked good fortune,” Tare told the
press. “Next season we will try to be as competitive as we have been this term. Reja? Now we will celebrate this evening, then over the next few days we will have a meeting and make a decision. We must thank Reja for all he has done, but the coaching situation will be decided over the next few days.”
Lotito says that he will reinforce the squad in the summer and that Ederson from Lyon, Breno from Bayern Muenchen and Burak Yilmaz from Galatasaray are high on his wish list. Really? ohhh, just prove it signore... Don't just talk nonsense.. :P
Our former coach, Roberto Mancini had his success in Manchester City after took his team to win the English Premiere League. City's struggle determineduntil thelast seconds of the match against Queens Park Rangers. Mancio's men had leftup until the additionaltime, but finally Citycouldend upahead ofQPRafterscoringtwogoalsinextratime from Edin Dzeko and Sergio Aguero.
Why I publish this article? Maybe it's not related directly to Lazio, but I will tell you about the connection between Manchester City and Lazio.
As you know, Manchester City's manager is Roberto Mancini, former coach and also player of Lazio. He played with Biancoceleste for 3 season from year 1997 to 2000. He presented several title for Lazio such as a Scudetto, 2 Coppa Italia, a Super Coppa Italiana, a Winners Cup and a European Super Cup in 1999. Interestingly,the team thatdefeated in the European Super Cupby Lazio was ManchesterUnited, the same teamhe'd justget rid ofintheEnglish Premiere Leaguetitle race this season. Mancio also presented a Coppa Italia title to Lazio when He coached the team for 2 years in 2002-2004. Great contribution for Lazio, right?
Besides him,there aresomeex-Lazioplayersinvolvedin adramaticmatchattheCity of Manchester Stadium against QPR. Did you remember the first goal scorer of QPR in this match? Yup, It was Djibril Cisse, the former striker of Lazio. As you know, He didn't have bright carreer in Lazio. In winter mercato, Lazio decided to sell him to QPR. But, it seems He didn't find his bright period yet in this club.
In the celebration, you can also see Aleksandar Kolarov, another former player of Lazio. His good performance in Lazio made Mancini interest to buy him from Lazio two years ago. But, unfortunately He didn't play on the field in this game. He only stayed on the bench all the match long.
Well, congratulations to Mancini and his men!! ^_^ Let's see their celebration photograph...
The last fixture had been passed successfully! Yes, Lazio brought a glory to all Laziale that attended Olimpico Stadium last night. Three goals from Libor Kozak, Antonio Candreva and Stefano Mauri became the Lazio's last goals of the season.
In the end of first half, Lazio had been left behind by the guest team after Diego Milito scored a goal from penalty spot. The referee gave a penalty kick for Inter after Ledesma did a bad bad bad tackle to Maicon in the penalty area.
Kozak celebrated his goal
Kozak and Edy Reja
But, Ledesma paid his error with one assist to Libor Kozak through a corner kick in minute 59. That was the equalizer goal for Biancoceleste. The young striker celebrated his goal with minimalist emotion. His role to replace Klose's position gave him another goal in Serie A this season.
In this match, I was really immpressed with both Candreva and Lulic movements on the field. The two players are the best players of Lazio last night! Just four minutes after Kozak's goal, both of them cooperated to create the second goal for Lazio. Lulic run on the left side area and succeed to pass through Maicon and He sent the ball to Candreva on the centre area. Amazing! Candreva shot the ball into the Castelazzi's net.
Candreva celebrated his goal
Candreva, Mauri and Kozak
Mauri and Candreva -the third goal-
Il Capitano Stefano Mauri completed Lazio's glory last night with his goal in the added times. So, the score turned to 3-1 for the home team. Nerazzurricontinued to attack in the last minutes, butforget theLaziodefensewhosuccessfully exploitedto scorethe third goal. MaurisuccessfullydeceiveCastellazziafterworking togethernicelywith the Kozak. Then Mauri expressed his emotion to the Curva Nord to celebrate with all of Laziale.
With this victory, Lazio get the fourth positionon the last standings of Serie A this season, because Udinese won over Catania. Fail to get the last ticket to Champions League next season. But, Europa League is not bad. Lazio finally can join a European championship next season after some of theissues affectedthe teamthroughoutthe season.
Wrong manuever in winter mercato by the management and endless catastrophic injuries that affected several Lazio players had causedthe inconsistency of Lazio's performance. Without the problems, I think that Lazio deserved better position on the last standings. So, we need to thanks the coach Edy Reja for his hard work and of course for the playerswhohave struggledthroughoutthe season.
Another rumour about Lazio's mercato is spread. Nemanja Tomic, a Serbian winger playing for FK Partizan will be the next target of Lazio. Once again, it's only still a rumour.
Lazio will also compete with the neighbour Roma Merda to gain Tomic's sign. His contract expires in 2013 and the player costs 3-4 million Euros.
This is the player profile that I get from Wikipedia;
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 14 March 2012.
† Appearances (Goals).
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 14 March 2012
Several days ago Lazio president Claudio Lotito gathered his new players, after the Union Ripa friendly match. Lotito told the attended press that he wanted a Lazio to battle on all championship, both in Italy and in Europe. And for that he went for more experienced international players on the market, with that extra quality to lift Lazio to a higher football level.
There was a part of the conference that the new players spoke about their new adventure at Lazio.
German striker, Miroslav Klose spoke that he was up to a new challenge. Even being one of the greatest strikers in German history, Klose was happy to leave Bayern Munchen and join to Lazio, a team with a great tradition, in one of biggest Leagues. He even spoke with Luca Toni (also former player of Bayern Munchen) about the difficulties of the Serie A, and how to outplay that.
Then, The Albanian Lorik Cana quoted Lazio as a big club in a big League, with ambition to do well in all 3 competities (Serie A, Coppa Italia and Europa League). Cana told the press that he preferes to play central in midfield, but he didn't mind playing elsewhere on the pitch.
Then, how about Djibril Cisse ? "Scudetto? Why not ?", only with those 3 words Djibril Cissé enough to gathered all the attention at the press conference. Cissé said that Lazio has the individual players, and the collective play, to battle with all teams in Italy and Europe. And he even told that he was impressed by the reception at the airport, by the Lazio fans, on his arrival.
Lotito then ended the press conference, by telling that his Lazio will be marking a new decade for greater heights.
After a long long season, finally we arrive at the final fixture of Serie A. For four teams -Udinese, Lazio, Napoli and Internazionale-, this last fixture is their final hope to reach the last remaining ticket for Champions League next season.
Each teams have their own scenarios to reach the last ticket. Udinese is the team that would have easier effort to reach the ticket. To occupy the leading position among the other 3 teams until the 37th week, Udinese has a simple job; win the last match, andtheywill be in thechampionsleaguenext season. Evenifthey areforced to onlybe able to geta draw result in this last fixture, they only need Lazio to get the same result or lost. And theresultsof Napoli and Interwill not meananything toUdinese.
So, how about Lazio's scenario? It would be more difficult than the Udinese's scenario. Lazio need to win against Inter and hope that Udinese and Napoli got lost in their last fixtures. Lazio will face Inter in the last fixture, a team that had a same goal; Champions League!! It would be tougherforlaziobecausetheyhave neverwonfrominterinthe last several meetings before.
While Napoli and Inter had the same scenario. They must win the last fixture and hope that Udinese got lost and Lazio couldn't win. The three teams would be collect same points, 61. Then, the head-to-head record would be determine who will be the last team to Champions League next season.
Lazio vs Inter: called up players:
Berardi, Bizzarri; Biava, Diakitè, Garrido, Konko, Lulic, Sbraga,
Scaloni, Zauri; Cana, Candreva, Gonzalez, Ledesma, Mauri, Onazi, Zampa;
Kozak, Klose, Makinwa, Rozzi.
After some depressive matches, Lazio finally met again with a victory. In matchday 37 of Serie A, Lazio faced Atalanta in Bergamo. This victory made Lazio keep on surviving in the last Champions League ticket race with Udinese, Napoli and Internazionale.
The home team actually started their performance in this match better from the guest team. They also won the ball possesion over Lazio. But poor for Atalanta, Lazio managed to lead in the first half after Libor Kozak scored a goal. After Kozak's goal, Lazio couldn't manage to add their leading until Lorik Cana scored an amazing goal in the last minutes of the match.
Lorik Cana
The German Bomber showed up again...
Senad Lulic also showed up again...
This match really brought some fresh air to Lazio side. This is the first victory from the recent five matches of Lazio. In this match, you can also see the return of two Lazio's hero; Senad Lulic and Miroslav Klose. Yes, they are back into the field! Lulic played his position from the beginning of the match. In minute 89, He replaced by Onazi-one of Lazio youngster-. While Klose got in to the field to replace Kozak in minute 65. I hope they will bring the Lazio's glory in the final fixture next week!
Eventhough Lazio still only on the fourth position behind Udinese, but Lazio still have a chance in the last fixture against Inter to take Udinese's position on the third.
Next season, Macron- an Italian apparel company- will replace Puma as the technical sponsor of Lazio. It was announced in Lazio's official website several days ago. The cooperation between Lazio and Macron will be started in next summer until season 2016 / 2017.
"Wehave decidedtowork withMacron in the long term", said the club president Claudio Lotito. "Wewere satisfiedwith theprogramand theseriousnessofthecompany thatcanhelpusdevelopthis important projectinthe next few years.
Puma have been already being Lazio sponsor for 14 years. But, next season would be the next era of Lazio jersey. Macron also had being the sponsor several teams like Napoli, Bologna, West Ham, Leeds United, Monaco, Braga and Az Alkmaar.
These are some speculation of Lazio jersey for the next season;
