Nesta to Inter: talks with Lazio are "conclusive" says player's agent One of SS Lazio star Alessandro Nesta’s agents says the talks going on with Inter at the moment over the defender’s future are set to be “conclusive.” Nesta is wanted by Inter and the Milan club have been in talks for the past three weeks to try and hammer out a deal with Lazio who are desperate for cash to ease a debt crisis which is threatening their registration for next season... The Beautiful Game
SS Lazio say they are "seriously interested" in Rivaldo SS Lazio president Sergio Cragnotti says his club are definite contenders to sign Brazilian World Cup winner Rivaldo. ”We are seriously interested,” the club’s president Sergio Cragnotti said today directly contradicting his sporting director Oreste Cinquini’s double denial of the club’s interest in Rivaldo now he is a free agent. But Lazio would need cash to fund such a move and meet Rivaldo’s massive wage expectations... World Soccer News
Send Lazio To Serie C1, Says Defiant Cragnotti The fallen "Imperatore" is more defiant than ever. After today's audition at Lega Calcio and FIGC, Lazio chairman Sergio Cragnotti spoke of his suspicions to see top Italian officials sabotage his club and therefore send the Lazio stock down. "Just send Lazio to Serie C1", Cragnotti told the press. "At least we'll be sure to win the league down there and send our stock shooting up". SoccerAge Cragnotti: What Happened Today Is Very Serious Just like his colleague and rival Franco Sensi, Lazio chairman Sergio Cragnotti didn't appear too worried after today's statement by the Italian League. "I spoke with the Italian Federation and I explained what I had to - Cragnotti said -. Evidently, the League and the Federation don't communicate with each other....What happened today is really serious, mostly because Roma and Lazio float in the stock exchange and this issue could inluence the stocks in a very negative way ". Roma and Lazio have been declared unable to register for the new season because they currently miss the necessary financial requirements. They have time until July 29th to get their books in order. SoccerAge
Give Us Zanetti Or Bust, Lazio Tell Inter About Nesta The £30m pricetag slapped on Rio Ferdinand has had collateral impact on the Serie A transfer saga of the summer: Lazio upped their asking price for Alessandro Nesta as they are unwilling to sell him out to Inter. The Nerazzurri are still trying to keep midfielder Cristiano Zanetti out of the deal, but the player is seen as a must by Lazio. "We value Nesta at the same level as Rio Ferdinand", a Lazio spokesman said. "If Inter want Nesta, they must pay the price, should it be in cash or players". SoccerAge
Lazio to retire shirt number 12 During Sunday the shirt numbers for the Lazio players this season will be presentated. The shirt number 12 is set to be retired, as a nice gesture from the club towards the fans who usually are considered as the 12th player on the field. An important gesture from the club who many times have been accused of not caring about its own fans. Lazio Mania
More from Lazio Mania: Crespo knows he could have to leave There are more question marks over the future of Hernan Crespo after he admitted he could leave Lazio this summer. The Argentine striker could be sacrificed by the Roman giants to help ease their financial problems after Alessandro Nesta’s move to Inter has stalled. "I still feel that my position at this club is unstable," the forward claimed. "The transfer market is still open until August 31 and we will see what happens." Speculation in Italy suggests that Crespo is still a target for both Real Madrid and Manchester United. The Argentine had a poor campaign by his standards last season as he and his teammates just sneaked into the UEFA Cup on the last day of term. The former River Plate man signed for Lazio in the summer of 2000 from Parma for £35.7m. Lazio Mania Lazio repeats that Zanetti is key for Nesta Inter have been warned that they will only land Alessandro Nesta if they give Lazio cash and Cristiano Zanetti. The international defender is a known target for the Nerazzurri but they are only willing to offer £18m and Turkish midfielder Emre. "If President Massimo Moratti doesn’t offer us Cristiano Zanetti then he will not get his hands on Nesta," said Sergio Cragnotti’s spokesman Guido Paglia. "There now seems no doubt that Nesta will remain with us. Last week we saw Manchester United sign Rio Ferdinand for £30m and he isn’t as good as Alessandro. "We want £30m and a player exchange because it is our intention to defend the patronage of this club." The player himself has admitted that he wants to remain in the capital but has said he is willing to be sacrificed should the club need to do so. Speculation had suggested that Nesta could join the San Siro side in the next week after Lazio failed at their first attempt to be registered for the new season because of their financial situation. Lazio Mania Lazio offer Crespo swap for Veron Juan Sebastian Veron could be on his way back to Lazio if Manchester United agree to a swap deal for Argentina striker Hernan Crespo. The Rome club, where Veron enjoyed his finest years, have put together a package that would enable the two players to swap clubs, with United agreeing to forfeit the £8million they are still owed by Lazio from last season's Jaap Stam transfer. United have not yet been contacted officially but will be sounded out in the next few days. With the Champions League looming, manager Sir Alex Ferguson is in the market for a centre forward after the sale of Dwight Yorke to Blackburn yesterday left him with just three - Ruud van Nistelrooy, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and the unproven Diego Forlan. In common with most of Europe's top clubs, United have been contacted by Barcelona about the availability of Brazilian striker Rivaldo but have shown no interest. Crespo has been a prolific striker in Serie A during his time with Parma and Lazio. The 27-year-old has scored 101 goals in 170 appearances in Italy and was briefly the world's most expensive player two summers ago when Lazio paid £37m for him. He remains a potent force but with Lazio in financial trouble, they are prepared to offload him if it means the return of Veron and the cancellation of their debts on the Stam transfer. The United boss remains reluctant to try to sell midfielder Veron and still feels that the 27-year-old may yet prove himself to be worth the £28m paid to Lazio last summer. However, if Lazio make a formal attempt to pull this deal off then Ferguson would be presented with a clear opportunity to solve two pressing problems in one go. Lazio Mania De La Pena wants Lazio declared bankrupt Lazio's Spanish midfielder Ivan de la Pena has asked an Italian court in Rome to declare the club bankrupt, claiming he is still owed more than 4million US dollars (£2.5million). The lawyers for De la Pena, who spent last season on loan at Barcelona, claim he is still due unpaid wages. If the club is declared bankrupt, an administrator is likely to give the players priority when the club attempts to pay off its debts. Lazio reportedly face debts of 109million euros (£69million). Owner and president Sergio Cragnotti is expected to pump new funds into the club, and players are expected to be sold. Lazio Mania
Lazio Will Be In Serie A, Insists Cragnotti Lazio general manager Massimo Cragnotti has insisted that the Biancocelesti will be taking part in Serie A this season... SoccerAge
De La Pena Adds To Lazio's Financial Woes Lazio reject Ivan De la Pena is planning to launch an official bankruptcy request against the financially-troubled Roman club, who he claims owe him $4,5 million in unpaid wages. The Spanish midfielder, known as the little Buddha, is not the only former Lazio 'employee' who is owed money by the Serie A side, as ex-managers Alberto Zaccheroni and Dino Zoff, as well as former fan favourites Marcelo Salas and Karel Poborsky have also launched official complaints against Cragnotti's club. In more positive news relating to Lazio, the Italian capital club plans to follow the growing the trend of retiring the #12 in honour of their fans – aka the twelfth man. The symbolic gesture is expected to be confirmed on Sunday when the squad numbers for next season will be announced. SoccerAge
Liverpool 0-1 Lazio Lazio steal win as Liverpool welcome new-boys Liverpool were beaten 1-0 by Lazio in front of a packed house for the friendly at Anfield... Ananova Match Report From the Shankly Gates LAZIO BOSS - CRESPO STAYING Lazio chief Roberto Mancini has dismissed claims that he could lose Argentina ace Hernan Crespo to Manchester United because of the club's financial position... Sporting Life
Lazio start new season against Reggina Lazio will kick off the new season against Reggina away. Reggina was promoted from Serie B this season. The first top game for Lazio is in the 4th round, when Milan will be coming to Olimpico to face Mancini's team. LazioMania
Tribal Football: Man Utd insist on Crespo in Lazio talks Manchester United are insisting on Lazio's Hernan Crespo, despite the Rome club's reluctance. Lazio are prepared to offer Juan Pablo Sorin and Claudio Lopez, but United boss Sir Alex Ferguson's priority is Crespo, according to Corriere dello Sport today. Lazio still owe United almost £10 million from Jaap Stam's transfer last year and are offering their Argie trio in part-exchange for the debt. The players' representatives jetted out of Spain last night for England to meet with United officials.
Lazio ask Man Utd about Silvestre in Crespo talks Mikael Silvestre has been mentioned as a possible make-weight in Manchester United's bid for Lazio striker Hernan Crespo. It's understood United are keen to wrap up the deal inside the next fortnight and talks will continue this week between the two clubs. Lazio have reportedly asked about Silvestre with the possibility of Juan Pablo Sorin being sold to Leeds United before the August 31 transfer deadline. Tribal Football
Man Utd, Chelsea wait as Lazio discuss transfers Lazio officials are due to meet with the representatives of Claudio Lopez and Hernan Crespo in London today. Both players are being offered to Premiership clubs with Manchester United wanting to sign Crespo inside the next fortnight, while Lopez is under Chelsea's consideration. Lazio chiefs will discuss the duo's exit with their agents today in London and also the offers on the table from interested Premiership clubs. Tribal Football
2002-2003 Fixtures 1/09 - 01.a Reggina (rit. 26/01) 15/09 - 02.a CHIEVO (rit. 2/02) 22/09 - 03.a Torino (rit. 9/02) 29/09 - 04.a MILAN (rit. 16/02) 6/10 - 05.a Atalanta (rit. 23/02) 20/10 - 06.a PERUGIA (rit. 2/03) 27/10 - 07.a ROMA (rit. 9/03) 8/11 - 08.a Empoli (rit. 16/03) 10/11 - 09.a PARMA (rit. 23/03) 17/11 - 10.a Como (rit. 6/04) 24/11 - 11.a MODENA (rit. 13/04) 1/12 - 12.a Piacenza(rit. 19/04) 8/12 - 13.a INTER (rit. 27/04) 15/12 - 14.a Juventus (rit. 4/05) 22/12 - 15.a BOLOGNA (rit. 11/05) 12/01 - 16.a Brescia (rit. 18/05) 19/12 - 17.a UDINESE (rit. 25/03)
What do you mean by poor? Poor as in money or in bad? Well, comepared to how they were two years ago they are both definitions of poor.
Crespo Delighted To Be Working Under Mancini Hernan Crespo has come out in praise of new Lazio coach Roberto Mancini... SoccerAge