Football Season Guide

After imposing themselves as one of the main protagonists of the Italian football, having regularly obtained the qualification to the European competitions for a few seasons in a row, in the past campaign Lazio failed reaching their own goal. Coaches Petkovic and Reja, who had been re-called at the helm in order to salvage the situation after having been too rapidly disposed of, proved incapable of turning the pumpkin they were riding into a golden cart. In fact, the previous transfer campaign had been disastrous even though President Lotito had loosened the purse strings for the first time in several years. Moreover, key star Klose was too often injured, or concentrated on the World Cup to come, and so, quite logically, the Eagles turned into a predictable and fragile team. Aiming at a different new season, Lotito charged Pioli with the team and, since then, he has been trying to strengthen the squad and making ends meet. First of all, Biava, Dias and the ectoplasm Helder Postiga were all let go without too many regrets. Then, Djordjevic from Nantes was signed in in order to provide a valid alternative to the German striker. Something they had been missing in the recent past. In a 4-3-3 formation, Basta, whose last season with Udinese was not a memorable one, and De Vrij, from Fejenoord, both seem likely to earn themselves a place in the back four alongside Cana and Radu with Marchetti confirmed in goals. In the midfield, Ledesma and Biglia should still be the leaders with the wonderful addition of Parolo, arrived after a couple of remarkable seasons with Parma. In the attack, Candreva and Keita will be expected to provide the crosses and assists needed by Klose or his replacement. The feeling is that the squad may need some further strengthening if Lazio really aim at fighting for Europe.