Goal.com 50: Mauro Zarate (26)

Goal.com continues to count down our 50 best players of 2008-09, and at No. 26 is one of Lazio’s mercurial youngsters Mauro Zarate...

Jul 17, 2009 11:20:00 PM

More On :  Lazio, Mauro Matías Zárate
Mauro Zarate & Tommaso Rocchi - Juventus-Lazio - Tim Cup (Grazia Neri)
This time last year, Mauro Zarate was ready for a return to Al Sadd after his loan deal with Birmingham City was brought to an immediate end following the Blues' relegation into the Championship. No sooner had the ‘El Pibe de Haedo’ packed his bags, he found himself with another loan deal this time on the blue side of the Italian capital.

Although a rather unknown quantity when he arrived at Lazio, Mauro Zarate wasted little time in showing his desire to take centre stage with the Biancocelesti. After Tommaso Rocchi picked up an injury whilst on international duty at the Olympics, Zarate was handed his chance and he duly took it with both hands.

As Lazio went into the break 1-0 down to Cagliari on the first day of the season nobody could have predicted what was to come in what looked like another disappointing opening for the Biancocelesti. After levelling the scoring from the spot on 62 minutes it took 'Maurito' just nine minutes to invent his first piece of magic producing a sublime chip to lob Marchetti from the tightest of angles.

After scoring twice on his debut Zarate went on to continue his dream introduction into the Italian championship terrorising opposition defences and finding the net six times in the opening five rounds. His spectacular beginning gifted Lazio their best start to a Serie A campaign for a decade, and ‘The Zarate Kid’ earned instant legendary status amongst the Curva Nord faithful.

With Tommaso Rocchi out injured, Zarate and Pandev began to form an explosive strike partnership and Lazio began to shape up as one of the surprise packages of the season. However it was not long before the Lazio captain made his return to action, and shortly after Zarate’s form began to dip after coach Delio Rossi opted to utilise an attacking trident. The early karma between Pandev and Zarate had been interrupted and 'Maurito' was finding it harder to get near the box as he had done in the opening rounds.


Who's a champ? | Zarate celebrates derby strike

As a number of players began to criticise the mercurial youngster for his lack of passing, Zarate slowly started to find his form and began to show his best once again. With the season drawing to its business end, Zarate managed to produce a number of match winning performances which increased his rating to phenomenon status.

His finest moment came on April 11th when Lazio hosted arch rivals Roma in the Derby della Capitale. With Rome’s other no. 10 declaring Zarate was not a true champion in the days preceding the encounter, 'Maurito' responded in stylish fashion scoring a wonder strike just four minutes into the game stunning Roma and silencing the doubters.

With Lazio reaching the final of the Coppa Italia just a month later Zarate yet again took centre stage and scored an almost carbon copy of his derby wonder strike. With the game billed up as a showdown between himself and Cassano, the Argentinian had once again proved he could stand up when it counted showing the makings of a true champion. As Lazio lifted their first piece of silverware since the glory days of the Cragnotti era, all eyes looked to Zarate following his incredible debut season with the Biancocelesti.

Shortly after the Coppa Italia triumph 'El Pibe De Haedo' was rewarded with a five year contract worth €2m a season. Claudio Lotito had dug deep to forward Al Sadd the €20m required to activate the buyout clause in Zarate’s contract and the Argentinian was finally a Lazio player to full effect.

Zarate had finally arrived on the European stage and if should can carry on where he left off last season, he could well go on to earn a call up for Maradona’s Argentina squad in time for South Africa 2010.

2008-09 HONOURS

Lazio
Coppa Italia, 2009

Stefano Federici, Goal.com

  27. Lassana Diarra (Real Madrid & France)

26. MAURO ZARATE (Lazio)

25. Diego Milito (Inter & Argentina)




Follow Goal.com on Twitter
Follow Goal.com on Facebook
Thank you for your comment!
Please enter your name
Please enter your location
Please share your comment!
Comments
49 Comments
 
Advertisement
play pause open close
Inside Goal.Com
  1. Capello-Terry debacle won't be the last FA scandal Capello-Terry debacle won't be the last FA scandal

    Keir Radnedge takes a trip down memory lane and concludes that the FA will continue to frustrate friend and foe alike following the England manager's resignation

  2. AC Milan have one match to get back on track AC Milan have one match to get back on track

    The Rossoneri appeared to be building momentum ahead of the Derby della Madonnina but since losing to Inter the flaws that were evident at the start of the season have resurfaced

  3. The Sweeper: Bale will not renew Spurs contract The Sweeper: Bale will not renew Spurs contract

    Goal.com can also reveal that Guus Hiddink is ready to consider a return to club management and explains how West Brom's coaches are the poor relations of the Premier League

  4. Why Real Madrid don't want to host the Copa final Why Real Madrid don't want to host the Copa final

    The capital club are doing everything in their power to prevent their fiercest rivals from turning their famous ground into a Blaugrana base for the day against Athletic Bilbao

  5. Cartoon: Maradona throws his toys out of the pram Cartoon: Maradona throws his toys out of the pram

    Goal.com cartoonist Omar Momani gives us his unique take on the football news of the day ...

 
Advertisement
Advertisement