2010/11 - Recent posts
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Better late than never I guess, my review of last season...
Five myths about where it went wrong...
1) 'Arsene's management of the team is completely inept'
You know, I might have some time for people who say this - or similar things - if they'd been
saying this in January and February.
Better late than never I guess, my review of last season...
Five myths about where it went wrong...
1) 'Arsene's management of the team is completely inept'
You know, I might have some time for people who say this - or similar things - if they'd been
saying this in January and February.
Background Only few weeks back, none of us Lazio fans would have believed that Federico Marccheti
and Marius Stankevicious would today be Lazio players in full effect. They were just two names of
random Serie A players which only Serie A fanatics would know. However, as all of us are aware now
SS Lazio has .
The background to the deal When confirmations appeared after the January transfer window closed
that Lazio had submitted a bid for Lorik Cana, I must say this took me completely by surprise.
Lorik Cana is my co-patriot and we must admit that all of us want that our co-patriots play for our
favorite teams.
Background Immediately after the season was over, it became obvious that Stephan Lichsteiner had
chosen to leave Lazio. As usual, Lotito was willing to fulfill his desire but of course, if the
buying would meet the asked price. From day one and in particular following appointment of new
manager, Juve was on pole for the player`s [.
In one football forum, someone had started an argument based on a quote by Real Madrid current
President. He said that Zinedine Zidane`s goal in Real Madrid vs Bayer Leverkusen Champions League
final was the best goal in football. As one would expect, a lot of people jumped in the discussion
suggesting this and that [.
Those of you who are unfamiliar with Miroslav Klose`s transfer to Lazio or if you were caught by
surprise by this move, here is a short history of the case. Last January, Lazio coach Edy Reja had
asked the team for a pure striker. Lazio have scouted and shortlisted two: Hugo Almeida (who
ultimately ended [.
After analyzing last week the performances of Lazio defense and midfield, I conclude the rating by
analyzing and the attack. We all expected more from the likes of Zarate and Floccari and much less
from Kozak. Mauro Zarate 5,5: I honestly expected so much more from the player whom we purchased
for 20+ million Euros [.
After grading and analyzing the performance of Lazio defense during the last season (which if you
missed can be found here) today it is the turn to grade the performance of Lazio midfielders.
Ledesma 7,5: This was probably Cris`s best season since he arrived at Lazio. Leaving his
contractual problems behind, he had focused all [.
If for anything else, we, the Lazio fans can be proud of our defense. Only the Serie A winner AC
Milan had a better defensive record that we did. The arrivals of Dias and Biava proved to be
crucial in obtaining this record. Worth noting are also good performances by Radu and in particular
Lichsteiner [.
In February of 2010, SS Lazio found itself in an unthinkable position: fighting for survival in
Serie A. It was so apparent for some time that Davide Ballardini had lost it with the team and that
persistence to continue with him at the helm of Lazio was seriously jeopardizing Lazio`s Serie A
status. Once Claudio Lotito [.
When the Serie A that season ended few days ago started last end of August, Lazio was regarded as a
team that would be fighting for a mid table position. Regardless of the fact that we had managed to
strengthen the team with few quality signing here or there, the general consensus was that based
[...
As a final ode to the season I thought I'd look at two aspects of what's been and what's to
come. The first part is a look back on how the players have done, a sort of rating for the season
as a whole. The second part which will follow at a later date will be my view on what I hope
happens in the summer and what I think will happen, probably two very different things.
And so it happened just like we all believe it would: Lazio got the win at Lecce but failed to
grasp the final CL spot, despite having the same number of points as Udinese. Believe it or nor, I
intentionally did not watch the match, as it was obvious that the other match played at the [...]
vs So, we take on Lecce in the ultimate match of season, a match that can decide nothing,
or could be historic. Considering the circumstances, it is quite unlike for the latter to occur.
So, what is actually at stake here? Theoretically, we could still grab the last Champions League,
but for that to happen [.
Find below some pictures from Formello, where Lazio players along with the coaching staff are
having fun with barbecue prepared by an Argentinian cook!
Well, we managed to beat Genoa after a brilliant second half display but this will most probably
prove to be insufficient for a CL spot, as Udinese managed to grab a vital away win @ Chievo
yesterday to remain 2 points clear with one match to go. First half What a dreadful experience.
True, 2 goals fell [.
vs Date: Saturday, 14.05.2011 (18;00 hrs) Venue: Stadio Olimpico, Rome In the
penultimate week of this Serie A season, Lazio hosts at Stadio Olimpico Genoa. The latter team has
nothing to play for, as they are safe from relegation zone but yet, far in points for European
competitions. This does not mean that a win is [.
Below, I tried to translate into English an interesting editorial from the Italian daily IL TEMPO.
I tried my best, hope you understand something. The federal prosecutor, with a speed of elephant
(the facts date back to March 13), has charged Stefan Radu for the rude gestures aimed at Roma
following his expulsion in [.
As I was unable to watch the first half due to technical issues with internet connection and
because I it is hard to write something after the third consecutive defeat which basically ended
our hopes of a Champions League spot, I provide you with several links where you can read the
reports. First is from LazioLand.
vs. Venue: Stadio Friuli, Udinese. Date and time: 8 May 2011; 15;00 CET The time for
every calculation is over. We take on Udinese this Sunday in what seems to be one hell of a match.
The teams that comes victorious from this encounter will most probably be the one taking the CL
spot for next [.
Before you start reading this, please do not take the meaning of the word "betrayed" very seriously
or in its strict meaning. As you already know, Stefano Mauri got a red card against Inter and
Cristian Ledesma earned a second yellow against Juve. Both these actions cost Lazio precious points
in our ever lasting quest for [.
After such a defeat, it is quite a difficult task to write a match report, or whatever of substance
for last night`s match. I so much wish to omit the mentioning of referees in a match report, but
this also proves to be a difficult task, to say the least. Just like against Inter, Lazio players
[...]
vs. Four matches from the end, no more calculations. We have to give
everything, do everything to finish 4th. Juventus come injured after a disastrous last second goal
received from Catania last week, a goal which basically diminished their chances for a 4th spot
fight.
How much I hate the title of this post. I was thinking another one, more suitable and one that
might not sound so intimidating to our hopes of a Champions League spot for next season. But it is
difficult to rephrase this meaning. We are 4 matches to the conclusion of this season, 4 long weeks
[...]
Spurs 3 Arsenal 3
It's a point I've made over and over again in the time I've been writing this blog, but I think
it's worth pointing out this week: you don't win the League by beating your closest rivals. Yes, it
helps. But when the success of your League challenge is predicated on beating Liverpool, Spurs and
Man United in successive games, then something has gone wrong earlier in the season.
Arsenal 1 Liverpool 1
Even the guy in the row behind me who wouldn't shut up had stopped. After Van Persie's free-kick
had been claimed by Reina, it looked like the game was up, like the title was gone.
The fourth official had signalled eight minutes of injury time, and though we had only played five
minutes, we hadn't created a chance of note.
Arsenal 0 Blackburn 0
This was, in short, a dreadful day. Without wanting to come across all Myles Palmer, I started
eating lunch and West Ham were 2-0 up; by the time I finished it was 4-2 to United.
Watching the highlights of that match in the pub before our match, I was once again shocked by Lee
Mason's refereeing.
Barcelona 3 Arsenal 1
There's been a lot of rubbish written about this match, and it's worth debunking some of it...
Myth No.1: Van Persie's red card wasn't a turning point
In the first half of the game, Barcelona managed one goal - a goal which was entirely of our own
making.
Arsenal 2 Barcelona 1
Painful as it is, cast your mind back to that fateful day in October 2004 where we lost our
unbeaten record at Old Trafford. Why? Because in spite of not winning the Champions League that
year, that Arsenal side was the best in world football. And they were beaten not by a great
counter-attacking performance, not by being out-passed or out-played, but by being kicked and an
outrageous dive from Wayne Rooney.
This Sunday we play a team which is basically a Serie B team already. With only 15 points eared so
far, Bari has basically no chance of maintaining Serie A status in the next season. Nevertheless,
as matches like Lecce et al showed, we should not take this match lightly but enter with a [...]
Morning all. Today I though I`d bring you an interview, or rather press conference with Stephan
Lichsteiner, given at the Press Hall at Formello yesterday. Did my best for good translation.
===================================== Stephan, tell us how are you feeling, you had an examination
yesterday..?
15:15, London
Describing something abstract as palpable tends to irritate me, but I genuinely can feel the
excitement. In a little over four hours, Arsenal will kick off against Barcelona - arguably the
best club side in the world.
All over the pitch there are exciting battles - Theo v Maxwell, Van Persie v Milito, Fabregas v
Busquets, and, most mouth-wateringly of all, Eboue v Messi.
vs. Due to time restraints I was forced to copy the match preview from
Football-Italia. Too busy to write one mysels. However, I will update this one tomorrow with the
latest news of probable formations and latest from Formello Battling Brescia could climb out of the
drop zone with a win and they'll fancy their [.
vs. UPDATE: Regarding the line up, it appears Reja will again drop Zarate and
field the following team: Muslera; Licht, Biava, Dias, Scaloni; Matuzalem; Ledesma; Sculli,
Hernanes; Gonzales; Kozak Due to time restraints I was forced to copy the match preview from
Football-Italia. Too busy to write one mysels.
I have intended to tackle Lazio statistic for a while now, but I dragged on the matter from one
week to another. Being at a critical point of the season (in this you might disagree) I though of
having a look at Lazio statistics and compare it with other teams at the top of the [...]
I have intended to tackle Lazio statistic for a while now, but I dragged on the matter from one
week to another. Being at a critical point of the season (in this you might disagree) I though of
having a look at Lazio statistics and compare it with other teams at the top of the [...]
This Sunday we take on Chievo Verona, the team we usually beat away but struggle massively at home.
Chievo has been quite inconsistent this season but nevertheless the fact that they have more points
than, for instance, Fiorentina, Genoa and Sampdoria and that they beat second placed Napoli 2 days
ago tell that we should [.
This Sunday we take on Chievo Verona, the team we usually beat away but struggle massively at home.
Chievo has been quite inconsistent this season but nevertheless the fact that they have more points
than, for instance, Fiorentina, Genoa and Sampdoria and that they beat second placed Napoli 2 days
ago tell that we should [.
Every team playing in competitive championship, regardless of category, address their weaknesses in
January transfer market. This January was not an exception to the generally known rule. As usual,
financially stronger teams took advantage and further strengthened their rosters while doing their
best to offload some financial burden in the form of player salaries most [.
