Stam: Fourth place, Coppa Italia and derby, these are our objectives Lazio's defender, Jaap Stam spoke on the TV program Lazialita. The exclusive interview will be transmitted tonight during the program presented by Guido De Angelis. From his words once can notice how the strong and unshakeable Dutch got used to Italy and Rome in particular and how much he likes the biancocelesti colours showing an unsuspectable Lazialita inside him. "I can't wait to play the derby and win it," explained Stam, "When I came to Rome, the derby for me was just a match like any other, a game of three points. I could not understand how it had a particular feeling for my team mates. During these years instead, living the environment of the city and the way how it is lived here in Rome, I understood that the derby is a special match and that the result is more important than just the three league points. Practically today I live it like someone that was born and lived with this shirt on his skin. Since I've been here I was never able to feel the joy of winning one. It's time to live it for us footballers and especially the biancocelesti fans. Here in Italy there's the most difficult league in the world," continued Stam, "Football is more tactical than other leagues that I played in Holland England where fighting spirit is the most important thing. Even the smaller teams, if well prepared tactically, and in Serie A they are nearly all prepared, they can hold you and make you do badly if you are not concentrated at 100%. That's why I like it a lot and that's why I enjoy it. Personally I have a contract up till 2005 and surely I will stay in Italy, then we shall see. With regards to Lazio, I ask the fans for patience and trust in the work that the club is doing. We shall see what will happen in the future; for now no one knows. The only certain thing is that all of us, fro mthe players to the executives care about Lazio." The derby however, is not Lazio's only objective for this season: "No, surely there's the fourth place in the league, to reach a very important objective which is the Champions League and then the Coppa Italia. Unluckily since I've come here I have not won anything for different reasons, and this is the first real chance that I have to win something important with this shirt. I want to win and raise the trophy apart from the satisfaction of having reached the final."
Yes, Jaap Stam used to play for Man United. He left them after he wrote some rather unpleasant things in his autobiography about Sir Fergus Alexson. Intermission
I'm shocked! I don't care how successful Sir Alex is or has been, his temper and treatment of players is awful. Throwing that boot and spliting Becks head up was Bobby Knight material....disgusting!
I've grown to really appreciate Stam over the last 2 seasons. Considering the subpar defenders he's had to play with (Couto, Miha, unstable Oddo) I think he's had as good as season as any defender in Serie A. That said, hope there is a way he can stay...
Sounds like he truly loves Serie A and Lazio. I'm shocked that he would call Serie A technically better than his English and Dutch experience, but I guess when I see more Serie A matches, I will be able to make a better judgement for myself.
Stam raps Man Utd Jaap Stam has taken a swipe at his old club Manchester United. "Teams like Chelsea and Arsenal are not sitting still any more," said the Lazio defender. "They have both moved forward while United have pretty much stayed where they were."