EMILIANO ALFARO SIGNED FOR LAZIO

Well, it's pretty late actually. But, I need to write about a new signing of Lazio in this winter mercato. His name is Emiliano Alfaro. The 23 years Uruguayan striker that has just started his debut for the national team of Uruguay.

His full name is Emiliano Alfaro Toscano, born April 28, 1988 in Treinta y Tres, Uruguay. Alfaro started his professional career with Liverpool de Montevideo at the age of 18, becoming a first-team regular at a young age. His excellent performances led him to be transferred to the well known Argentinian club San Lorenzo. During his stay in Argentina, he did not have much continuity so he returned to Liverpool in mid 2010. In last season he did 25 performances and scored 12 goals for the club.

On November 7, 2011 he was named for a FIFA World Cup qualification match against Chile in Montevideo. Alfaro made his debut for Uruguay against Italy on 15 November 2011. He previously played with the Uruguayan under-20 team at the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup held in Canada alongside Edinson Cavani and Luis Suárez.

Hmmm... Quite interesting right? I hope he would be the next star for Lazio. With his position as forwarder, he will be the rival for Miroslav Klose, Tomasso Rocchi, Giuseppe Sculli, Libor Kozak, Djibril Cisse and Stephen Makinwa.

BACK TO THE TRACK!!

Tomasso Rocchi

SERIEA 2011/2012 MATCHDAY 18

LAZIO 2 VS ATALANTA 0

Lazio: Marchetti, Zauri, Biava, Dias (42’ Diakite), Radu, Gonzalez, Ledesma, Lulic, Hernanes (41’ Matuzalem), Klose, Rocchi (88’ Del Nero).

Atalanta: Consigli, Masiello (77’ Tiribocchi), Ferri, Lucchini, Peluso, Schelotto, Cigarini, Padoin, Carmona (46’ Moralez), Marilungo (54’ Bellini), Denis. 

Lazio is back to the track on the Scudetto race this week. After a disaster match against Siena in the previous week, Lazio had gained three points in their home, Olimpico. What a wonderful week for Edy Reja's men and also for Laziale ^_^. In this match, Federico Marchetti returned to fill the goalkeeper position in starting eleven formation after being recovered from his injury. Surprisingly, there was Luciano Zauri who had filled the right back position that left by Abdoulay Konko. The veteran finally being trusted again by Edy Reja after his bad performance in two opening matches of Lazio this season.

Hernanes

This week, Lazio took down the Bergamo's team Atalanta with 2-0 score. Lazio scored their first goal through Hernanes. He took the penalty kick in minute 19. Lazio got the penalty kick after referee Banti blew his whistle when he saw Radu being fouled by Masiello in the penalty area.

While the second goal was gained in the first additional minute of second half. Once again, The German Bomber Miroslav Klose showed up as the ultimate scorer for the biancoceleste. He definitely killed the game off by getting the ninth goal to his name so far this season.

With this result, Lazio is still hold on the fourth position of standings with 33 points. Followed by Internazionale with 32 points on the fifth place after they won the derby dela madonina against AC Milan. Lazio is after Udinese, now with only two points gap after they had lost the match this week. Juventus and AC Milan still conquer the capolista with one point gap to each other.

Miroslav Klose

All pictures were gathered from SS Lazio Pagina Ufficiale on Facebook.

WHAT A SHAME...

SERIE A 2011/2012 MATCHDAY 17

SIENA 4 VS LAZIO 0

A shocking result occured in Italian Serie A this week. A mediocre team, Siena had punched out Lazio with four goals without reply!! I don't know, what happened with Lazio? What was wrong with them in the last match?

I can only report that Siena gained the four goals through Mattia Destro with two goals and Emmanuele Calaio with two penalty kicks. Lazio punished with two penalties in this match. Can you imagine? Even, the goalkeeper Albano Bizzarri sent off by the referee. With Marchetti that still struggle with his injury and Bizzarri that can not play in the next matchday, the choices only left Carrizo alone in goalkeeper position. Owwhh... It makes me so worry...!!

LOST TWO POINTS IN OLIMPICO TWICE!!

SERIE A 2011/2012 MATCHDAY 15 & 16

LAZIO 2 VS UDINESE 2

LAZIO 0 VS CHIEVO 0

Lazio had lost two points twice when they were playing in Olimpico against Udinese in Sunday and Chievo in Wednesday. Against Udinese, Lazio actually lead in the second half 2-1 until the ex player of biancoceleste Gian Piero Pinzi scored his equalizer goal. Senad Lulic and Miroslav Klose, once again showed up as the scorers for the Edy Reja's squad.

Just three days later after the matchday against Udinese, Lazio face the matchday 16 of Serie A. They still played in their home, Stadio Olimpico. But, the opponent they face now was Chievo Verona.

Actually, Lazio dominated this match over the guest team. But unfortunately, the imperfect finishing of Lazio players made some chances that they had, gain nothing. Edy Reja, even said that match against Chievo was the worst match that Lazio ever played this season.

Then, finally Lazio ended this year with two draw results that brought them only two points. Lazio still held on the fourth position behind the capolista Juventus and Milan with 4 points gap. Udinese on the third position with 2 points gap with Lazio.

ADVANCE THROUGH THE NEXT ROUND!!

EUROPA LEAGUE 2011/2012 MATCHDAY 6

LAZIO 2 VS SPORTING LISBON 0

Lazio: Albano Benjamin Bizzarri, Giuseppe Biava, Mobido Diakite, Luis Pedro Cavanda, Cristian Ledesma, Lorik Cana (Alvaro Gonzals 53'), Senad Lulic,, Hernanes, Djibril Cissé, Giuseppe Sculli, Libor Kozak (Miroslav Klose 85')

Sporting Lisbon: Boeck Marcelo, Oguchi Onyewu (Joao Mario 76'), Santos Fabiano Evaldo, Tiago Ilori, Stijn Schaars (Filipe Daniel Carrico 69'), Marques Alexandre Bruno Pereirinha, Filipe Andre Santos, Renato Andre Martins, Valeri Bojinov, Diego Rubio (Emiliano Insua 65'), Andre Carrillo. 

Lazio finally advance through the next round of Europa League this season. In the last matchday, Lazio had a really good luck! They had a victory over Sporting and also had a good result in another match of the group D. Yes, their rival in this group Vaslui had defeated by the switzerland FC Zurich.

Before the match, Lazio had the toughest of paths if the team wanted to advance from the group stage of Europa League and avoid another humiliating early exit. Not only was a win needed against the strongest side of the group, but also an already eliminated FC Zurich had to get a result against Romanians Vaslui, the team that would kick Lazio out of the tournament with a win in Switzerland.

In this match, coach Edy Reja played some secondary players, even primavera players. He took the strategy because he had to keep the starting players fresh until the match against Udinese in Serie A. But, it could not avoid Lazio to gain a victory over the Portuguese team. Lazio got the scores from Libor Kozak in the first half and Giuseppe Sculli in the second half.

After the draw for the next round match of Europa League, Lazio announced that they will face the Spanish giant Atletico Madrid. Atletico had already met another Italian club Udinese in the group stage before. The first leg will be played at Olimpico in Rome on 16 February 2012, then one week later, Edy Reja's men will travel to Madrid for the second leg on 23 February.

Last time Lazio played Atletico Madrid was in the UEFA Cup in 1997-98. Lazio beat Atletico Madrid in the semi finals 1-0 over two legs with a goal from Vladimir Jugovic. Lazio and Atletico Madrid have also had some great players in common. Players like Cristian Vieri, Diego Simeone, Vladimir Jugovic & Matías Lequi have played for both clubs.

If Lazio should beat Atletico Madrid over two matches they will play the winner from Besiktas and Sporting Braga.