I don`t have to apologize I guess for not posting for soooo long. This season we suck. If you followed the team, you know what I mean. I came up with this piece while trying to summ up the first part of the season. Good read:
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My naivity might have gone as much as hoping for a champions league spot, or making a semi final in Europe League.

However, that we would with 20 points in 19 games, has not even crossed my mind in my most dark and pessimistic thoughts.

We started the Serie A season with 2 undeserved wins, against sluggish (on paper at least) Atalanta and Chievo. The win in Verona was in particular points that we did not deserve.

Then came a match, which according to my opinion our best played this season, against a might Juve at Olimpico. We lost, but did not deserve. I guess we paid the luck we got a week earlier against Chievo.

Then came a period, one of the darkest in our history: 12 matches without winning. We lost to anyone we could, at home at away. We lost to teams we used to beat easily. Even when we drew, we did that by defending in 11. No creativity, no aggressiveness, no team spirit: nothing.

We, Lazio fans had to wait from 30 August 2009 until 13 December 2009 to cheer for a win. Our coach appears clueless. It is apparent that he is not at the level to coach a team like Lazio. Despite such results, his job was apparently never at risk, because our beloved President would claim that the problem is in our players heads, rather than on his chosen coach.

Formations used to shuffle from 4-3-1-2; 4-3-2-1 and end up with an ultra defensive 3-4-1-2, which in fact is a 5-4-1. It is touching to see players like Zarate and Rocchi return to defend, instead of playing to score.

It is true, we occasionally see this team is capable of reacting, showing some passion, but we all witness that under coach Ballardini, this team can not go far. His lack of courage is damaging this team beyond comprehension.

Without bringing a good central midfielder for the start to play alongside Matuzalem in whatever formation, we can hardly hope to pass on the left part of the standings.

I am once again returning to write after a long long period of going dark.

Just after we started to win some matches after that misarable form, during which we lost 5 matches and equalized 1 (thus dropping even behind roma in the standings) and just when we were facing the weakest team in the league (Chievo), this Lazio team strikes again: they line up 3 more defeats, each more shocking than the other, showing a total lack of spirit and fight for the team.

A home defeat to Chievo Verona, and then 2 away ones at the hands of Catania first, and then Siena, made me feel sick and totally devestated. That was a period when this team should have pushed harder than ever, because we were approaching the CL threshhold so quickly. Then these three defeats ruined everything.

I have been receiving emails inquiring what happened to this blog and why are you not writing any more. But what was there to write about ? The team performances were disgusting. All Lazio forums I visit regularly went silent. Were remained speechless.

Now, despite the 3 recents wins, each more important pscycholigically than the other (first derby and Genoa away – WOW – and Juve for Coppa Italia), I am still confused as to what should I feel about this season. I mean this team has potential, but just when you think they are ready for the bigger step, they totally fail! Now, I am afraid of these team screwing up against Atalalta this Sunday, because it appears as soon as they start playing well, they suffer from too much self-belief. I hope I am wrong though and we win again. Forza LAZIO.

Lazio crashed to a 3-0 defeat to Chievo on Sunday with defender Emilson Cribari taking the defeat particularly badly.
The 29-year –old Brazilian defender was substituted with 8 minutes to go and was booed off the park by his own fans.
This resulted in Cribari breaking down in tears after the match.

Following the game, Cribari said: “I will leave Lazio at the end of the championship, I have decided that I will speak with the President. If Lotito wants he can even keep the last three or four months of my wages, it’s honestly not a problem with me.”
Cribari added: “I will do my bit if I come to be selected from now until the end of the season. But when the campaign comes to a close I will ask to leave. I’ve been thinking about this for a while now. I no longer feel wanted here.”

Cribari has been a Lazio player since the 05/06 season when they bought him from Udinese. His contract with the club runs until the summer of 2012 but with the player keen to move then a bid of around 2.5 million Euros should be enough to get the defender.

By Sandy

No comment. Just watch the highlights. A total embarrassment, with hardly one chance created by Foggia.

Dear readers and Lazio fans, Guido de Angelis (in case yuo don`t know him), is editor in Chief of Lazialita and a huge Lazio fans. Yesterday I came across a letter of his dedicated to the late president Ugo Longo. I translated it in English as better I could (excuse me for any potential mistakes). I am bringing it here. The original text can be found here.

Good bye Ugo, my dear friend

Bye Ugo,

My old friend. I was aware that you were fighting with that enemy and for that reason you were isolated completely from the world of football that you loved so much.

We came to know each other through the radio, based on one of so many live afternoon  radio shows. I understood that you were an passionate listener of mine and you had, just like me, Lazio in your heart.

Cragnotti chose you to defend Lazio from thousands of problems that it faced. In all Lazio storms, you were our captain. You faced in first person all problems of the club but always maintained an optimism for all Lazio fans.

In the century story you will always have a place in the first line, because if Gegeral Vaccaro refused to merge Lazio with Roma, you saved basically Lazio from bankrupting.

I will miss you, we will miss you, because your smile stamped in your face is a picture I will carry with me forever.

You were one of the most loved presidents of the club, you were the one that brought the biggest number of yearly ticket subscribers in Lazio history and it is a pity that you finished your days without a place in the club. But this is not important; my self and all laziali will remember you every day, because your name will become an example of transmitting a healthily, genuine and romantic lazialita, which accompanied you for all your life. From the time you moved from your old Caltanisseta to our city.

We shall stand up and applaud a real gentleman…a genuine laziale.

Gudio De Angelis

It has been reported today in the Italian media, that former Lazio president, and a very loyal laziale, lawyer UGO LONGO has passed away, at the age of 68. Mr. Longo has been suffering from an ilness for a long time now.

Lazio  asked Lega Calcio for a minute of silence and wearing black armbands for tomorrow`s match against Chievo, that takes place at Stadio Olimpico.

Ugo Longo served as lawyer for Sergio Cragnotti for a long time and was widely respected as a man and lawyer. He took over Lazio presidency from July 2003 until today`s president Lotito took over a year after. Rest in Peace Presidente.

It has been a quite week for us, Lazio fans, as the focus had shifted to some interesting Champions League matches.

There was little to write I think, perhaps until today, when some interesting news appeared about Lazio.

The first is regarding a deal that apparently Lotito signed with an italian firm INDESIT a commercial agreement, valid for next 6 years, estimated at 48 mil euros (8 euros per season).

The other news regards Matuzalem. There are reports that Lotito met his agent who expressed the willingness of his client to stay with Lazio for many years. Now Lazio has to find a final buying price for brasilian. The situation is not easy because Zaragosa already has a pending situation with Shaktar Donetks (Ukrainin team where Matuzalem played before moving to Zaragoza). The former team  took the spanish one to the court, claiming that the player had no right to use the Bosman clause. However, we can remain optimistic about this case.

The other case has to deal with Zarate. His brother arrived to Rome to meet Lazio officials regarding his permanent move from the Arab club. Just like Matuzalem, Zarate is likewise keen on remaining with Lazio and we can expect this deal to go through maximum by mid-April.

So much for the day, hope to post another one tomorrow, as a preview for Lazio – Chievo match.

Just a quick note, with regards to some issues floating around my thoughts, when I think of our situations recently.

I think JP Carrizo should be worried. The current form of Muslera, which is growing match after match, is reallyt impressive.

His saves against Napoli yesterday, were one of the best seen this season in Serie A. If he continues this run of form, there is no need to bring back Carrizo, which will result in the latter demanding a transfer.

The so long awaited win at Napoli finally arrived.

Tomassi Rocchi ented in the second half for Zarate and stroke twice in 8 minute to bring valuable points to Lazio, in our quest for a UEFA Cup place.

The first half was an average football match, with both teams having some chances, but failed to turn them into goals. Lavezzi was very close to score, but a stunning Muslera saved our net. Delio Rossi started with Muslera, Lichtsteiner, Siviglia, Cribari, Kolarov; Brocchi, Ledesma, Matuzalem and Foggia in the middle and Pandev and Zarate up front. Rocchi, Mauri and De Silvestri entered for Zarate, Foggia and Matuzalem in the second half.

In the second half, Napoli entered more agressively, but it cost them the points, as they made some mistakes in defense, which were smartly used by Tommaso Rocchi.

I should mention that this one was Muslera`s best performance this season, as he made some incredible saves – 1 in the first half, and 3 in ths second. He is the real hero for our team this match. Now with these three points (and with Fiorentinas defeat at home), we are only 4 points from Genoa and roma, and 5 from a CL spot, Fiorentina. We have a favorable draw in the next few matches starting with Chievo at hom. Keep up the good work ragazzi. Photos and goals to follow.

I should be ashamed really. we win 2 in a row and you don`t hear from me for almost a week now.

First we beat Bologna at Olimpico and in some way we got a revenge as they beat us badly in the first leg. We won thanks to Zarate`s brace, when he again displayed some magic. This win was even more meaningful due to facts that Atalanta, Palermo lost at home, while Cagliari drew. We gaine some position as a result.

The second win came 2 nights ago against Juve, in the first semi final match (stupidly enough, second leg will be played on Aprill 22 in Torino). Juve was the better team in the first half and they managed to score through a Lazio fan, Marcchioni. On the second half, Lazio totally dominated and managed to score twice through Pandev and Rocchi. We could have scored more if it wasn`t for Juve`s second goalie Manninger, who once again made some brilliant saves against us.

We next play Napoli away, who are in a very poor form recently and who did not win in the last 5 matches at least. They beat us at home in the first leg through that stunning own-goal by Siviglia. It would be so nice to grab another 3 points and strengthen our quest for a UEFA Cup place. Also, that would serve to kick Napoli fuerher behind in the standings.