As we get closer and closer to the start of the 2011/2012 season, Coach Edoardo Reja needs to start shaping what will be his preferred players the coming season. With more than 30 players on his team sheet at this moment, Reja is faced with a problem many Lazio coaches have faced before him the last decade. The squad is too large; a state that is unwanted by everyone involved.
In only three days (31 July) Lazio will play two friendlies on the same day; one in Fiuggi against Reggina, and the other against Villarreal in Spain. It has been widely believed the game against the Spanish side will be the one where Reja gives his “first team” time to gel, while the Reggina game will be the game where the rest of the players are to get some playing time in order to be ready for the new season, no matter if it is with Lazio or elsewhere. This was confirmed today as information on what players are going to Spain, and which players are to remain to face Reggina, was released.
Lazio A (travelling to face Villarreal): Marchetti, Berardi, Dias, Biava, Diakité, Radu, Scaloni (in the case of Stankevicius not being able to come along), Brocchi, Ledesma, Matuzalem, Cana, Mauri, Hernanes, Klose, Cisse, Zarate, Sculli and Rocchi.
Lazio B (staying to face Reggina): Bizzarri, Zauri, Scaloni (if Stankevicius is able to travel to Spain), Stendardo, Cavanda, Garrido, Bresciano, Foggia, Del Nero, Ceccarelli, Floccari and Kozak. Also, a number of primavera players will be added to this team.
Worth noting is that Stankevicius is being monitored for a possible injury, while Konko and Lulic are both definitely out due to injuries. Stephen Makinwa is the only player that has not been brought to Fiuggi but rather left in Rome, and is therefore not present in either Lazio A or Lazio B.
(Khashayar Kashefi)