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Goal.com Christmas Shopping: Who Should Lazio Buy?
Goal.com's transfer special series comes to focus on the Biancocelesti...
| Bet: | Returns: | Lazio £22.50 | Draw £32.00 | Atl. Madrid £29.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Lazio £22.50 | Draw £32.00 | Atl. Madrid £27.50 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Lazio £23.00 | Draw £32.50 | Atl. Madrid £27.50 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Lazio £22.50 | Draw £33.00 | Atl. Madrid £32.00 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Lazio £23.00 | Draw £32.00 | Atl. Madrid £28.00 |
|
Dec 25, 2009 11:30:00 AM
In recent seasons Lazio have often been forced to make changes during the middle of a season, as a result of a less than satisfactory summer transfer market.
Expectations were high going into the 2009/10 campaign after the Biancocelesti ousted Italian champions Inter to the season’s first piece of silverware by lifting the Supercoppa Italiana in early August.
After securing the permanent services of Mauro Zarate and Francelino Matuzalem for a small some of €28m, the signs that president Claudio Lotito was finally ready to put his money where his mouth had filled the Aquile faithful with optimism ahead of what was supposed to be an important summer on the transfer market.
However after failing to offload a number of high profile want away players such as Cristian Ledesma and Goran Pandev, the Formello outfit was left short as they failed to secure the necessary replacements along with a solid centre-half capable of shoring up Lazio’s leaky backline.
With the club now sitting just three points off the drop zone after enduring an abysmal spell of 105 days without a win, the Aquile have paid a hard price for significantly underestimating the strains of a return to European competition.
Having been shown faith by president Lotito following a terrible start to his reign on the Lazio bench, coach Davide Ballardini has rightly called for reinforcements as the Biancocelesti look to come bouncing back in the New Year.
Goalkeepers
No additions required here, despite his abysmal introduction onto the Italian scene, Lazio no.1 Fernando Muslera has now become a strong reference point for the Biancocelesti. The Uruguayan will be determined not to let his performances slip in the second half of the season, as he looks to maintain the hot seat for a place between the Celeste’s sticks in South Africa 2010.
Defence
Lazio’s backline was outlined as a problem area before the season began, and this is still the case. Despite some encouraging displays of late, there are still huge question marks as to whether the likes of Guglielmo Stendardo and Stefan Radu can protect the fort until the end of the season. Alternatives Sebastiano Siviglia and Emilson Cribari are clearly not up to the required standard, so a top class right back is a must in January.
Players linked include Gremio’s Humberto Rever, Inter’s Marco Materazzi, Bari’s Andrea Ranocchia, and Genoa’s Salvatore Bocchetti. Materazzi is the most acclaimed of these, but given his wage demands it is unlikely he will arrive in January. The best of the attainable options is Rever, who is reported to favour a move to the capital. The only stumbling block could be that Brazilian outfit Gremio are looking to sell outright, whereas the Biancocelesti cannot buy any more non-EU players until they offload Juan Pablo Carrizo who is currently out on loan.
As for the wide areas, Lazio seem to be well covered with Stephen Lichtsteiner and Aleksandar Kolarov having proven two of Ballardini’s most consistent players so far this term. Despite the high interest for the Serbian youngster, it is very unlikely Lotito would consider any offers for the no.11 in January, given the lack of time in finding a suitable replacement.
Midfield
The midfield has been the root of all evil for the Aquile this year. In terms of personnel, the Biancocelesti are simply not equipped well enough in this department to cope with the demands of the Italian top flight.
After freezing out key man Cristian Ledesma this summer, Ballardini has looked to improvise by calling on the services of the ageing Roberto Baronio in the middle of the park. Whilst the Italian has impressed with a number of satisfactory performances, the gulf between defence and attack is a major cause for concern given the Aquile abysmal goal haul so far this term.
The dream move would be to prize Gaetano D’Agostino from Udinese and combine him in the middle of the park with a solid holding midfielder. However considering Juventus were unable to heed to the Zebrette’s transfer demands over the summer, it seems highly unlikely the Lazio president would be prepared to stump up the funds for the Italian star.
Two more likely arrivals in the middle of the park are Huracan’s Mario Bolatti and Napoli’s Luca Cigarini. The former was close to a move to the capital during the summer and priced at €5m, he is well within Lotito’s price range. A possible stumbling block could be the interests of Barcelona however, who have reportedly vented an interest in the last few days.
Cigarini on the other hand could be available on a loan deal after having struggled to break into the Napoli starting XI since his summer switch from Atalanta.
Attack
Lazio’s frontline has taken the brunt of Lotito’s inability to replace the absences of Ledesma and Pandev since the start of the season. With just ten goals in 17 games, the haul from the forwards has been simply unacceptable for a side that aspires to remain in the top flight next season.
Star man Zarate has suffered from having to play an extra 20 metres deep this term, and this is an added incentive for Lazio’s president to make some widespread changes in this department during the break.
Given his inability to produce the goods since his summer arrival in the capital, it is more than likely that Julio Cruz could be sent packing along with captain Tommaso Rocchi who has been courted for some time now by Fiorentina.
Potential candidates who could replace the under performing pair, according to the media, are Juventus’ Sebastiano Giovinco, FC Moscow’s Maxi Lopez, and Twente’s Marko Arnautovic.
What Lazio really need is a well built centre forward with pace and explosiveness. For this reason, it would make sense to push for Arnautovic, who would undoubtedly provide Zarate with far more space to attack inside the box.
With a clear lack of options in the trequartista role, a co-ownership move for Giovinco could also help unblock Lazio’s scoring problems as they continue to struggle for a creative spark behind the forwards. Given the Bianconeri’s admiration for Kolarov, the Serbian could potentially be used as a bargaining chip to prize half of the ‘Atomic Ant’s’ contract from the Old Lady.
IN (5): Humberto Rever (Gremio), Mario Bolatti (Huracan), and Sebastian Giovinco (Juventus co-ownership), Marko Arnautovic (FC Twente) Maxi Lopez (FC Moscow)
OUT (6): Eliseu, Cristian Ledesma, Christian Manfredini, Goran Pandev, Stephen Makinwa, Julio Cruz,
LOANS IN (1): Luca Cigarini (Napoli)
Stefano Federici, Goal.com
Expectations were high going into the 2009/10 campaign after the Biancocelesti ousted Italian champions Inter to the season’s first piece of silverware by lifting the Supercoppa Italiana in early August.
After securing the permanent services of Mauro Zarate and Francelino Matuzalem for a small some of €28m, the signs that president Claudio Lotito was finally ready to put his money where his mouth had filled the Aquile faithful with optimism ahead of what was supposed to be an important summer on the transfer market.
However after failing to offload a number of high profile want away players such as Cristian Ledesma and Goran Pandev, the Formello outfit was left short as they failed to secure the necessary replacements along with a solid centre-half capable of shoring up Lazio’s leaky backline.
With the club now sitting just three points off the drop zone after enduring an abysmal spell of 105 days without a win, the Aquile have paid a hard price for significantly underestimating the strains of a return to European competition.
Having been shown faith by president Lotito following a terrible start to his reign on the Lazio bench, coach Davide Ballardini has rightly called for reinforcements as the Biancocelesti look to come bouncing back in the New Year.
Goalkeepers
No additions required here, despite his abysmal introduction onto the Italian scene, Lazio no.1 Fernando Muslera has now become a strong reference point for the Biancocelesti. The Uruguayan will be determined not to let his performances slip in the second half of the season, as he looks to maintain the hot seat for a place between the Celeste’s sticks in South Africa 2010.
Defence
Lazio’s backline was outlined as a problem area before the season began, and this is still the case. Despite some encouraging displays of late, there are still huge question marks as to whether the likes of Guglielmo Stendardo and Stefan Radu can protect the fort until the end of the season. Alternatives Sebastiano Siviglia and Emilson Cribari are clearly not up to the required standard, so a top class right back is a must in January.
Players linked include Gremio’s Humberto Rever, Inter’s Marco Materazzi, Bari’s Andrea Ranocchia, and Genoa’s Salvatore Bocchetti. Materazzi is the most acclaimed of these, but given his wage demands it is unlikely he will arrive in January. The best of the attainable options is Rever, who is reported to favour a move to the capital. The only stumbling block could be that Brazilian outfit Gremio are looking to sell outright, whereas the Biancocelesti cannot buy any more non-EU players until they offload Juan Pablo Carrizo who is currently out on loan.
As for the wide areas, Lazio seem to be well covered with Stephen Lichtsteiner and Aleksandar Kolarov having proven two of Ballardini’s most consistent players so far this term. Despite the high interest for the Serbian youngster, it is very unlikely Lotito would consider any offers for the no.11 in January, given the lack of time in finding a suitable replacement.
Midfield
The midfield has been the root of all evil for the Aquile this year. In terms of personnel, the Biancocelesti are simply not equipped well enough in this department to cope with the demands of the Italian top flight.
After freezing out key man Cristian Ledesma this summer, Ballardini has looked to improvise by calling on the services of the ageing Roberto Baronio in the middle of the park. Whilst the Italian has impressed with a number of satisfactory performances, the gulf between defence and attack is a major cause for concern given the Aquile abysmal goal haul so far this term.
The dream move would be to prize Gaetano D’Agostino from Udinese and combine him in the middle of the park with a solid holding midfielder. However considering Juventus were unable to heed to the Zebrette’s transfer demands over the summer, it seems highly unlikely the Lazio president would be prepared to stump up the funds for the Italian star.
Two more likely arrivals in the middle of the park are Huracan’s Mario Bolatti and Napoli’s Luca Cigarini. The former was close to a move to the capital during the summer and priced at €5m, he is well within Lotito’s price range. A possible stumbling block could be the interests of Barcelona however, who have reportedly vented an interest in the last few days.
Cigarini on the other hand could be available on a loan deal after having struggled to break into the Napoli starting XI since his summer switch from Atalanta.
Attack
Lazio’s frontline has taken the brunt of Lotito’s inability to replace the absences of Ledesma and Pandev since the start of the season. With just ten goals in 17 games, the haul from the forwards has been simply unacceptable for a side that aspires to remain in the top flight next season.
Star man Zarate has suffered from having to play an extra 20 metres deep this term, and this is an added incentive for Lazio’s president to make some widespread changes in this department during the break.
Given his inability to produce the goods since his summer arrival in the capital, it is more than likely that Julio Cruz could be sent packing along with captain Tommaso Rocchi who has been courted for some time now by Fiorentina.
Potential candidates who could replace the under performing pair, according to the media, are Juventus’ Sebastiano Giovinco, FC Moscow’s Maxi Lopez, and Twente’s Marko Arnautovic.
What Lazio really need is a well built centre forward with pace and explosiveness. For this reason, it would make sense to push for Arnautovic, who would undoubtedly provide Zarate with far more space to attack inside the box.
With a clear lack of options in the trequartista role, a co-ownership move for Giovinco could also help unblock Lazio’s scoring problems as they continue to struggle for a creative spark behind the forwards. Given the Bianconeri’s admiration for Kolarov, the Serbian could potentially be used as a bargaining chip to prize half of the ‘Atomic Ant’s’ contract from the Old Lady.
IN (5): Humberto Rever (Gremio), Mario Bolatti (Huracan), and Sebastian Giovinco (Juventus co-ownership), Marko Arnautovic (FC Twente) Maxi Lopez (FC Moscow)
OUT (6): Eliseu, Cristian Ledesma, Christian Manfredini, Goran Pandev, Stephen Makinwa, Julio Cruz,
LOANS IN (1): Luca Cigarini (Napoli)
Preferred Line-Up (3-4-1-2)
Muslera
Radu Rever Stendardo
Lichtsteiner Cigarini Bolatti Kolarov
Giovinco
Arnautovic Zarate
Muslera
Radu Rever Stendardo
Lichtsteiner Cigarini Bolatti Kolarov
Giovinco
Arnautovic Zarate
Stefano Federici, Goal.com
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