GENERAL DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THE SQUAD

To be a little realistic i think that we DONT have a problems in1. ATTACK,2In the wright side of defence(LICHTI AND DE SILVESTRY are perfect),3CD-only rozenha,4.MIDDLE-For my oppinion we have a big problems here,we have 50% players(brochi,dabo,mauri),Meghni always injured,Matuzalem looks good but an injured all season,ledesma-good but realy strange sometimes.Even if we play whith ledesma-matu a third one need to be much more seryosly(dabo and brochi are not bad for the bench,mauri also-but this year he s best games was like a clasical middle. and wen he subs ledesma),In tge left side of defence-problems(kolarov could be a good,radu-like a dead man walking).GK-big problem-carrizo-wery poor,muslera-one good game.GOOD side-zarate-pandev-foggia(also tomaso from the bench),whith 3-4 good players we can do a loot

With regards to youth players I think over the remaining 9 games of the season Rossi should give them chances to show what they've got. Probably not starters but in last 15-20 minutes of a match sure, why not?

The Lazio Primavera squad is currently strong and doing well which is brilliant to hear so some of their more prominent players should be given chances.

Mendicino recently got called up to the Italian U21 team by Casiraghi. Surely Ettore deserves some game time with Lazio in Serie A? He has been called up by Rossi once or twice already this season but never featured (apart from the pre-season match against Liverpool where he did quite well). Also there is Kozak, Tuia, Cinelli.

Rossi refused to let Mendicino go out on loan because he wanted to give him game time near the end of the season.

Delio hasn't featured them much yet because he needs results and doesn't want to take risks and also, the guys we are mentioning play regularly for the Primavera and are often very tired when Lazio have a game.

It's not that Rossi doesn't want to play them, he thinks it's not the sensible thing to do. At present I agree with him but once we get a result or two in the bag, then we have to introduce them.

My opinion is, if the first team are not showing us what they've got then there are about 20 youngsters dying for an opportunity to show us what they have.

Bobbi wrote:

With regards to youth players I think over the remaining 9 games of the season Rossi should give them chances to show what they've got. Probably not starters but in last 15-20 minutes of a match sure, why not?

The Lazio Primavera squad is currently strong and doing well which is brilliant to hear so some of their more prominent players should be given chances.

Mendicino recently got called up to the Italian U21 team by Casiraghi. Surely Ettore deserves some game time with Lazio in Serie A? He has been called up by Rossi once or twice already this season but never featured (apart from the pre-season match against Liverpool where he did quite well). Also there is Kozak, Tuia, Cinelli.

Actually Mendicino has three or four minutes, haha Against Fiorentina away. Nah, but I agree with you, really want to see this guy, of all our Primavera players he is the most interested one for me. As you said, he did well versus Liverpool and also scored a goal who was wrongly disallowed. Really hope for him in the future.

Sorry for my english, don't know at what rate it is haha

I agree with you guys. Rossi should let our youngsters play. No one asks him to field Degre, Faraoni, Tuia, Cavanda, Cinelli, Mancini, Kozak and Mendicino at the same time, but 15-20 minutes when everything is clear, would be perfect. (or maybe Tuia in one game, Mendicino in another and so one). Our Primavera is among the strongest sides in Italy and I don't see any reasons why they shouldn't get playing time.. They're too young and not ready? Bahh.. Santon, Balotelli, Paloschi, Ariaudo, Forestieri - they all were not ready untill coach gave tham a chance to shine.. We will never know if Tuia and co are ready or no, if we don't see them playing. Now they're young, after few years they'll inexperiended like Lollo and Diakite. So then will they get a chance? Furthermore, with all due respect to Del Nero, Manfredini, Inzaghi, I don't think our youngsters are much worse than them..

I agree i would especially like to see Mendicino and Tuia both play, the latter played in a pre season against Liverpool and it was interesting to see him play then, but i also agree that it should be in the latter stages of games that are 'safe' as it gives them a low pressure environment to get some experience under their belts

I think after the derby we will know exactly how we stand in terms of Europe. If we are out the hunt we should let the young guys play alot. If we are still pushing for Europe it's hard to see Delio playing them to be honest.

Guys, this season is more or less over. We will get the chance to see some of our young prospects the remaining games, and then we will move over to a silly season very interesting to follow for us. I think our first priority must be to keep the majority of our players - at least the influential ones - and then to get rid off some before bringing in new players. The question I would like to discuss regarding the squad now is what players you think we need tp get out permamnently...

I think we have to reach a seperation with:

Belleri, Zauri, Mauri, Meghni, Inzaghi (he is leaving, right), Makinwa, Baronio and probably a few more...what do you think?

.....Manfredini, Del Nero, Sivigla.....

Is Scaloni still ours

And don't forget Bonnetto also.

many of those guys won't be back,

Belleri is out of contract.
Bonetto has no future at Lazio (or even in Serie A for that matter).
Baronio will stay with Brescia.
Makinwa will stay at Chievo.
Zauri and Scaloni will need to be sold but that shouldn't cause too many problems.

Meghni, Manfredini and Mauri i'd say will be nervous about their future.

Stendardo probably won't play for us if Delio stays, Firmani I hope should return, Del Nero will stay, Inzaghi got his contract extended til 2011 with the same high salary (yes you read that correctly).

We've needed a cleanout of the squad for 2 years. I hope we finally get it.

c. testa wrote:

many of those guys won't be back,

Inzaghi got his contract extended til 2011 with the same high salary (yes you read that correctly).

Did i read that correctly ? :P , but no really didnt he use to get 1mil per year ?? i think its above the salary cap

Time to kickstart this again:

http://www.cittaceleste.it/cover_news_dett.php?Id=650

No guarantee that the likes of Ledesma and Pandev will be reintegrated but there is a clear message about our system: we will play with two strikers and a solid midfield.

Zarate and one of Cruz/Rocchi will line out each game I'd imagine. I'm happy with this; Ballardini chose Cruz against Chievo and he grabbed two goals. It's great to see a bit of tactical thought going into these matches.

A "solid midfield" is in Ballardini's gameplan. A solid midfield probably involves guys who track back, work hard and can create. I hope Ledesma gets reinstated and then we have numerous options. I see no reason why Baronio can't form that midfield or Dabo, Brocchi, Mauri etc. I just hope we find the right balance. 4-4-2 is not a viable option for me unless Eliseu steps up his game and 4-3-1-2 is hardly ideal but we can get away with it. As for leaving out Foggia, I would like to see him be worked in eventually but his selection does compromiseus defensively. There is no getting away from that.

For defence, I want Kolarov-Cribari-Diakite'-Lichtsteiner. I hoped we could partner Emilson up with someone and maybe show the world why I think he's adequate but we will probably have to spend the season watching Siviglia get found out. I don't mind if Siviglia plays as long as Cribari is there.

All in all, we could be a whole lot better off but if Davide eeks performance out of certain individuals, we're fine. I repeat, IF.

knowing Lotito im not suprised about our disaster of transfer window...

out: Rozehnal - 5mil (the standard Czeh international) - he sold our best defender and didnt get any better....Lorenzo - 6mil (he sold the only good and very prospective child of Lazio)...
loan out: Tuia - we have mediocre center difenders and he loan out to Serie "C1" our hot prospective child of Lazio.....Kozak - also very good Czeh youth international player who i think can do the same think as the greandpa Cruz who take 1.5-2mil per year...

in: Cruz (free 36old Inter waste), Bizzari (free), Eliseu (1mil anonymous)...

the last year we have most mistakes in our center difenders and the midfield...and instead to get stronger players at this postions we and didnt buy any new...

now i see the squad at lalaziosiamonoi.it an looks like this:

PORTIERI - Muslera (1986), Bizzarri (1977), Iannarilli (1990), Berni (1983), Degrè (1989)

DIFENSORI - Cribari (1980), Lichtsteiner (1984), Kolarov (1985), Diakitè (1987), Siviglia (1973), Radu (1986), Stendardo (1981), Scaloni (1978), Bonetto (1979), Artipoli (1986)

CENTROCAMPISTI - Brocchi (1976), Dabo (1977), Firmani (1978), Foggia (1983), Mauri (1980), Meghni (1984), Manfredini (1975), Ledesma (1982), Eliseu (1983), Del Nero (1981), Matuzalem (1980), Baronio (1977)

ATTACCANTI - Zàrate (1987), Rocchi (1977), Inzaghi (1976), Makinwa (1983), Cruz (1974), Pandev (1983)

with this squad ill play like this:

......................Muslera........................
Li'.........Diakite.........Stendardo......Kolarov
Foggia......Ledesma......Matuzalem.....Meghni
.............Pandev..........Zarate................

zoran wrote:

knowing Lotito im not suprised about our disaster of transfer window...

out: Rozehnal - 5mil (the standard Czeh international) - he sold our best defender and didnt get any better....Lorenzo - 6mil (he sold the only good and very prospective child of Lazio)...
loan out: Tuia - we have mediocre center difenders and he loan out to Serie "C1" our hot prospective child of Lazio.....Kozak - also very good Czeh youth international player who i think can do the same think as the greandpa Cruz who take 1.5-2mil per year...

in: Cruz (free 36old Inter waste), Bizzari (free), Eliseu (1mil anonymous)...

the last year we have most mistakes in our center difenders and the midfield...and instead to get stronger players at this postions we and didnt buy any new...

now i see the squad at lalaziosiamonoi.it an looks like this:

PORTIERI - Muslera (1986), Bizzarri (1977), Iannarilli (1990), Berni (1983), Degrè (1989)

DIFENSORI - Cribari (1980), Lichtsteiner (1984), Kolarov (1985), Diakitè (1987), Siviglia (1973), Radu (1986), Stendardo (1981), Scaloni (1978), Bonetto (1979), Artipoli (1986)

CENTROCAMPISTI - Brocchi (1976), Dabo (1977), Firmani (1978), Foggia (1983), Mauri (1980), Meghni (1984), Manfredini (1975), Ledesma (1982), Eliseu (1983), Del Nero (1981), Matuzalem (1980), Baronio (1977)

ATTACCANTI - Zàrate (1987), Rocchi (1977), Inzaghi (1976), Makinwa (1983), Cruz (1974), Pandev (1983)

with this squad ill play like this:

......................Muslera........................
Li'.........Diakite.........Stendardo......Kolarov
Foggia......Ledesma......Matuzalem.....Meghni
.............Pandev..........Zarate................

Forget him, he dosnt exist anymore.

zoran wrote:

knowing Lotito im not suprised about our disaster of transfer window...

out: Rozehnal - 5mil (the standard Czeh international) - he sold our best defender and didnt get any better....Lorenzo - 6mil (he sold the only good and very prospective child of Lazio)...
loan out: Tuia - we have mediocre center difenders and he loan out to Serie "C1" our hot prospective child of Lazio.....Kozak - also very good Czeh youth international player who i think can do the same think as the greandpa Cruz who take 1.5-2mil per year...

in: Cruz (free 36old Inter waste), Bizzari (free), Eliseu (1mil anonymous)...

the last year we have most mistakes in our center difenders and the midfield...and instead to get stronger players at this postions we and didnt buy any new...

now i see the squad at lalaziosiamonoi.it an looks like this:

PORTIERI - Muslera (1986), Bizzarri (1977), Iannarilli (1990), Berni (1983), Degrè (1989)

DIFENSORI - Cribari (1980), Lichtsteiner (1984), Kolarov (1985), Diakitè (1987), Siviglia (1973), Radu (1986), Stendardo (1981), Scaloni (1978), Bonetto (1979), Artipoli (1986)

CENTROCAMPISTI - Brocchi (1976), Dabo (1977), Firmani (1978), Foggia (1983), Mauri (1980), Meghni (1984), Manfredini (1975), Ledesma (1982), Eliseu (1983), Del Nero (1981), Matuzalem (1980), Baronio (1977)

ATTACCANTI - Zàrate (1987), Rocchi (1977), Inzaghi (1976), Makinwa (1983), Cruz (1974), Pandev (1983)

with this squad ill play like this:

......................Muslera........................
Li'.........Diakite.........Stendardo......Kolarov
Foggia......Ledesma......Matuzalem.....Meghni
.............Pandev..........Zarate................

i'd prefer :
muslera
lich - diakite - cribari - kolarov
foggia - matuzalem - brocchi/dabo/baronio - meghni/eliseu/mauri
zarate - cruz/rocchi

@zoran - that 36 year old waste won us a game

If we'll progress thru the group stages I think the winter mercato will be better... atleast I hope so...

Well it is Ballardini's choice to choose players now. Seeing that Ledesma and Pandev are still here, we are still paying them and it is the year before the world cup, hopefully they can just be integrated as we could definately use them. Zarate-Pandev was and can be a deadly combo as ledesma-matuzalem. If only we had Lugano, I think this team could definately make a good shot at top 4.

Pandev will never play for us.

zoran wrote:

in: Cruz (free 36old Inter waste), Bizzari (free), Eliseu (1mil anonymous)...

You do forget the important and pretty large outlay on Zarate there!

However, I do agree totally about the midfield and defence and am annoyed that with so many defenders being linked, we end up with no-one. Surely Canini, Miranda or Rever were fairly easily aquirable and with contact made with at least two of these, they were definite targets. We had been told that Lugano wasn't the only player that was looked at and that a "strong defender" would arrive.

Midfield wise, if there was no way that Ledesma would be reintegrated into the team even if he didn't leave, something needed to be done there. It makes that area look even weaker when it is apparent that Ballardini sees Matuzalem as a trequartista. I see him as a central midfielder to play in a two or three, with Ledesma persona-non-grata that would be with Brocchi in a two and then Mauri/Dabo in a three depending on the need for defensive cover. It's all very well playing "hard workers" but to create anything at all from midfield we so need someone with a bit of skill like Matuzalem.

That frees up a deserved place for Foggia. It has been mentioned that his place compromises us defensively, however, in my opinion the defence compromises itself and we are hardly well covered when we have Baronio and Mauri starting in midfield. Matuzalem will hardly increase our defensive capabilities if he is played as trequartista, and the defence and midfield behind remain the same. We may as well get our best players in the line up and provide more chance to hurt teams. A player like Foggia will always lose the ball after dribbling or trying tricks, Zarate does it countless times, these players offset that by being able to create and score goals and they play high enough up the pitch that the midfield and defence should be able to cover. We all know that doesn't always happen as the standard is not always the highest in those departments. Even though they sometimes cause us to be under pressure when losing the ball upfield, creative players also take the pressure off by actually running at defenders and causing them to play in straight lines as they are worried about pace. It gives defenders and midfielders problems and would allow a better quality midfield to then create in the space.

Everyone knows we are a work in progress but it is clear we have taken a step backwards personnel wise, there is no doubt about that. It will be easier to judge after many more games.

now i just see the salary of Lazio players at lalaziosiamonoi.it ...and still i cant stop laughing :p
(in mill eur)

Zarate 2
Cruz 1,8
Brocchi 1,2
Rocchi 1,2
Matuzalem 0,9
Stendardo 0,9
Eliseu 0,8
Foggia 0,8
Baronio 0,75
Inzaghi 0,75
Manfredini 0,6
Bizzarri 0,5
Dabo 0,5
Ledesma 0,5
Lichtsteiner 0,5
Makinwa 0,5
Mauri 0,5
Siviglia 0,5
Pandev 0,45
Cribari 0,4
Meghni 0,4
Radu 0,3
Del Nero 0,25
Kolarov 0,25
Muslera 0,25

...this is sad...no comment.

At the end of the day Zoran, these players signed the deals off their own back and each contract should be honoured. This is a subject you will never see sympathy from me because the wages in football are quite frankly pathetic. To earn in a week what most people struggle to earn in a year, and to still complain about it....Fanculo!

I don´t think that it´s sad. It´s right that some of them earn not very much because they could get more at another club.

BUT eyerybody of these players knew what they will be earning when they joined Lazio. And everybody unwrited the contract which was them offered.

For example - Muslera is getting too less money. But he signed this contract - he signed it because he wanted and nobody told him that he has to.
Now, he´s one of best players and on lalaziosiamonoi.it you can read, that Lotito will be talking to Muslera´s manager for a new contract. So, in the new contract he will be earning more than now.

Stendardo and Eliseu are getting overpaid, their contract should be swapped with Kolarov and Muslera.

Brocchi being paid as much as Rocchi is too much.