SS Lazio Diary 2002-2003

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23 July 2003

A brief interruption of the summer break: a good time in Lazio land. Bargain season ticket prices (90 euros for women); record sales. Victory over Chelsea. Things looking positive on the transfer front so far (including a welcome for Albertini). Roberto Mancini's satisfied face on billboards all around town urging 'Tutti allo stadio'. Wryly amusing stories of US mishaps (the team locked out of their training facilities...). Watch this space as the 2003-2004 Serie A season approaches. Enjoy the summer.

17 May 2003

A wonderful atmosphere this afternoon in the Stadio Olimpico. It could have been the end of a triumphant season; fans invading the pitch, carrying clods of turf proudly home on the Metro, rousing choruses and frantically-waving scarves. And for us, that's what it was. It may have been the 'season of missed chances', but the fans appreciated the efforts made by players, manager and club administration over the course of the season. Without pay, a club that was in danger of bankruptcy from one week to the next, the best players sold days before the season's start... the odds were against us, and today the successes on and off the pitch were celebrated with style. Thanks to special ticket prices, the Stadio Olimpico was totally sold out, awash with blue and white banners, flags, scarves and balloons. The anthems were being sung 90 minutes before kick off.

Mihailovic's penalty came just when frustration was beginning to set in. Even Mancini was seen to jump up and down with thwarted rage. Not that the crowd didn't appreciate Baggio's goal. There were even a few claps, and voices saying of 'Did you see Baggio? Did you see Baggio?'. But Lazio's penalty was an apt equaliser, after the season's missed chances from the spot. (And it was that penalty spot that was the first piece of turf dug up by invading fans after the game).

Enthusiasm was renewed and from then everything seemed to go right. No player had a bad game, with Liverani on especially good form, and goals from this season's favourite, Cesar, and the troubled Lopez, who returned to form this afternoon.

After the game the fans, players, manager and club all thanked each other. The players were mobbed, embraced, kissed, as they came to salute the fans and throw their shirts into the crowd. There were more emotional renderings of favourite songs, many exchanges of greetings and 'see you next season', then it was time to head for the gates, around the stadium, past the merchandise stands (final clothing purchase for Football in Rome: a stylish dark blue Lazio polo shirt) and over the bridge for the last time this season. Packed trams rattled back into the heart of Rome, trailing flags and triumphant songs, bouncing with anti-Roma chants. For all except those who'll travel all the way to Udine next week, the party is over. Until next season. See you at the end of August!

5 May 2003

The argumentative Lazio TV programme is just showing a musical montage of Lazio's missed chances and bad luck this season. Missed penalties (that derby....), countless shots rebounding off the woodwork. We've had some fantastic moments but a bitter taste will always remain - 'the season of regrets' they were calling it today.

This season the fans have been great, the players too (mostly), the new management... there's just something that's missing. On Saturday the mood was great at the start, great 'choreography' with coloured papers turning the stadium into a sea of blue and white, the management applauded, the players sustained with song. But it was ultimately a depressing experience. Everyone has heard the stories about corruption in Italian football, we all know the stories, and we all know there is at least a grain of truth in some of the accusations that get bandied about. But usually it's possible to believe in what happens on the pitch. On Saturday a shiver of doubt crept in. A draw was displeasing to the fans - we could see that we deserved to win. But it doesn't greatly harm either club. Juventus have money, Lazio don't. And although we've seen Lazio throw away many good chances this season, that afternoon the chances were more hurled aside. Clutching our season tickets, sporting our merchandise, we want to believe. But sometimes it gets harder.

25 April 2003

'3- 0: why not?' read the banners and sung the crowd. Because luck just isn't on our side, we had to conclude after the game. Missed opportunities, another missed penalty, more thwarted dreams. Not a treble, not a double, not even one trophy left to hope for.

The crowd did their best last night; with tickets at one euro, the stadium was totally packed. The best 'choreography' of the season, with the northern end of the stadium turning blue and white with pieces of card and a big banner from the Curva Nord - who have spent most of their time recently holding forth against the police rather than supporting the team. Last night though, the stadium atmosphere was superb, with anthems being sung at top volume from over an hour before kick-off. And even at the end, we managed the usual support for the team 'We're always with you, we'll never leave you'. Nice and heartwarming - although a victory would have made it that much nicer.

17 April 2003

So that's it. Four chances this season to beat Roma, and four failures. The Roma fans sing 'You'll never win', and it's beginning to seem true. Four games, two draws, two defeats. A late equaliser, a missed penalty, bad-timed injuries - for Lazio it's been a case of the usual bad luck, and the familiar inability to seal an advantage. And the UEFA Cup situation means that we're unlikely to win anything this season, a fourth-place being our highest target. Not bad, but a come-down after the pre-Christmas euphoria. Not to mention the fact that Roma have already qualified for Europe (as Coppa Italia finalists, the other finalists, Milan, will have a place in the Champion's League thanks to their Serie A placing).

The stadium was fairly - relatively - quiet last night. Not tear gas, no brawls (not that we saw, anyway). Excessive use of fireworks and flares (including one directed straight into the stands) which will earn unnecessary fines for the cash-strapped clubs. The Curva Nord began the game with a boycott, leaving the entire sector empty for the start of the match. A protest against recent laws against stadium violence. Only in Italy could the ultras of every club get together to make communal protests for the right to beat each other up with impunity.

But the remainder of the Lazio fans - and the Curva Nord fans, when they finally invaded their sector - supported the team loudly and loyally. Even at the end, when the writing was on the wall, a final burst of pride saw everyone holding aloft scarves and flags; a sea of sky blue. We sang our way through the entirety of several anthems, hurled a final burst of invective at the Romanisti, then loyally welcomed our players over to the Curva for a post-match show of solidarity. Then home through the crowds of celebrating Roma fans.

Maybe next year...

9 March 2003

What a night. After the euphoria of our lead, we returned home on buses filled with Roma fans who were singing offensive (and racist) songs. Eyes sore from tear gas, backs aching from standing throughout the game, and hearts bleeding with the disillusion. Being Lazio fans, of course a one- goal lead wasn't enough to give us much hope. 'We're going to lose' a pessimist in front of me repeated all through the second half. And bad luck and injustice as usual played their part. As our players visibly tired after the midweek trip to Poland, and a goal was disallowed right in front of us, it was a time of stress rather than rejoicing. But with less than five minutes to go we began to wonder. Could this be it? Could we be about to win a derby after three years? We certainly deserved to. Then the brattish Cassano - who was only allowed to play on appeal, having been suspended for swearing and ranting at officials - put paid to our dreams. It shows how bad things are for Roma that their fans celebrated as much as if they had won by a huge margin, instead of scraping a draw. The minority of Lazio fans rallied for a final chant of 'Where are Roma?', but it wasn't enough to lift the spirits. Just one more chance this year to beat Roma - the Coppa Italia away tie. Fingers crossed.

8 March 2003

Derby countdown... again. It's 5pm, and a car just drove past the window playing Lazio anthems at a provocative volume. In an hour or so Football in Rome will be off to the stadium to brave hostile armed police and a stadium full of 'home' Roma fans.

If we've been remiss at updating this diary lately, it's because there hasn't been much exciting news to share. A series of disapointing home games, followed by more inspiring away performances - particularly the UEFA Cup victory in subzero Poland.

All together now:
Alè la Lazio alè
vinci insieme a noi
conquista la vittoria
conquistala per noi

6 February 2003

Like any derby, the atmosphere was fantastic - until the fighting started. Most of the Curva and Distinti crowds were in place, eating sandwiches, and hurling insults across the length of the pitch, well over an hour before kick-off. It was obvious that the Romanisti had more riding on the game than we did; they had prepared a huge number of offensive banners, obscene pictures and flag-waving 'choreography'.

As usual, the Tribuna Tevere was the scene of nasty confrontations between the two sets of fans, who are never separated by police in the Tribune. Note: as I think I recommend in the 'Safety' page, avoid the lower levels of the Tribuna Tevere at derby matches. Yesterday it was a ridiculous amount of time before the police bothered to make an entrance; seats and flares were flying as fans fought. The Roma fans burnt the banners of Lazio supporters clubs, the police - typicallly - ignored them while menacing the Lazio fans with their batons. Luckily the trouble calmed down as the game began; it should never have been allowed to get so far.

The game was exciting but one of those frustrating experiences where you come to believe that no matter what happens, the ball will somehow miraculously stay out of the net. We should perhaps have been awarded a penalty, there were a couple of dubious offside decisions, but on the whole the referee deserved respect for his indifference to the notorious diving tactics of Totti and Cassano. 'Cinecitta is that way!' shouted the Lazio fans.

Defeat was of course bitter, but Lazio played well and tried hard. And we still have the second leg to qualify for the final. And, at the end of the day, it's only the Coppa Italia. If this hadn't been a derby, no-one would have cared; the stadium would have been empty. At the end of the match, the Lazio fans called for the players to come and exchange salutes in front of the Curva Nord. Visibly gratified, they did so, and the crowd chorused their support and loyalty 'We are always with you; we'll never leave you.' A good feeling to end on, considering the fates had been against Lazio.

26 January 2003

The perfect aid to seeing the pitch in the blinding sunshine; a smart new corduroy Lazio hat. Except that after today's disaster I'm a bit concerned about wearing it again. Fans in Italy are supremely superstitious; sometimes it's hard not to feel there must be some jinx affecting the matches. Joy at learning Roma's downfall at the hands of Como (who previously hadn't won a game all season) didn't last long.

After a few disappointing initial perfomances Corradi seemed like a waste of space; now he has become a vital part of the side. It was remarkable to realise just how much Lazio missed him this afternoon. Chiesa hasn't yet been incisive enough, and the weaknesses elsewhere in the side mean his contributions in front of goal are needed more than ever.

Today wasn't all the fault of Lazio; Reggina were aided by an excess of favourable offside and refereeing decisions. The entire team deserve Oscars for the amount of time they spent writhing on the floor waiting for play to be stopped (then jumping up nimbly to continue with the advantage they'd earned).

It's sad to have lost our excellent unbeaten record; sad that the defeats have been reserved for home matches; and above all sad that Lazio have lost these points now, when the competition for the top of Serie A is thinning out. Down to fourth place now, and these could be points we bitterly rue in weeks to come.

20 January 2003

Hot sunshine in the Stadio Olimpico, the joyful hysteria of the terraces, and a Lazio victory. What more could life offer? A Roma defeat, perhaps? Some of the biggest roars of approval at the stadium yesterday came when we heard the news from the other games. Inter were losing! Unbelievable but fantastic. Emerson was sent off for Roma. Cue the normal anti-Roma chants. Piacenza had taken the lead away against Milan. Milan were promptly awarded a penalty. Cue an anti-Galliani chant (in addition to the usual refereeing habit of 'righting' unexpected scores for the big sides, Berlusconi's chairman at Milan is Galliani, who also happens to be the new boss of the Football League.. responsible for referees. Incidentally, take a look at how many penalties were awarded to the three big sides yesterday...). Then the news that sent the stadium wild. Atalanta were beating 10-man Roma. On the way home through the city Lazio fans were brandishing their banners with pride. It seems a lifetime since last season's hidden scarves and downhung heads. As the tram journeyed along Rome's streets, the passengers were singing 'Where are Roma?' at the top of their voices.

It seemed forever since the last home game, and the Stadio Olimpico was surprisingly full of eager supporters. Small children waved banners declaring their undying love for Lazio. Fans swapped views on the New Year developments of the club. Mancini received his usual serenades, which he acknowledged with his customary charm. Whatever might happen in the season's second half, we've had this. We still have the pride in achievements so far, and still have our sights on at least one of the three still-possible trophies.

Lazialità in TV, Monday's three-hour tv Lazio-fest is beginning its animated discussions of the game (Channel 56, if you're in Rome on a Monday night), so time to sign off, and to re-live the joy of Lopez, Fiore's gentlemanly refusal to celebrate a goal against his former club, and that nervewracking stretch at the end of the match.

It has rained heavily and continually in Rome today, without a single pause. It hardly seemed credible that Lazio and Sturm Graz could take to the pitch tonight. But play they did, on a pitch which was almost totally waterlogged. The ball moved splashily and unpredictably. Both teams managed well - given the difficulty - but accurate passing and shooting were near-impossible, while players stretching for a ball found themselves slipping over in the mud.

Castroman had a good game tonight, making some darting runs, Inzaghi missed a couple of chances, but generally the game was short of excitement and goal opportunities. There were a few mudd(l)y scuffles around the mouths of both goals, and it seemed probable that at some point it would end up in one of them; sadly it was the wrong one. Given the conditions, and the fact that it was really Lazio's second team playing, and given the advantage from the first leg, the defeat isn't too worrying. It's just a shame that our long unbeaten run (18 matches) has come to an end.

The stadium was very nearly empty, the deluge in Rome putting fans off travelling. Even the police didn't bother to come out from the shelter of the stadium to perform their normal security checks. The Sturm Graz fans (fairly numerous) produced a remarkable number of fireworks during the course of the game.

Spirits were slightly dampened by the weather, but fans entertained themselves with old and new musical favourites. 'La Roma dove sta?' - 'where are Roma?' is a regular part of the repertoire these days. And when things got a bit dull, everyone sang Mancini tributes - 'Roberto-gol' etc. - until the great man waved in acknowledgement. Whereupon he would receive a huge round of applause. Already, of course, rumours are connecting Mancini with other big jobs. Here's hoping he stays and the songs continue for a long time to come.

Last night's game against Inter was one of the most exciting and nerve-wracking matches I've ever experienced. The joy of an unhoped-for three-goal lead was beautiful, with the entire crowd leaping up and down, kissing and hugging indiscriminately and frantically waving flags and scarves. Then the long-drawn out tension of the second-half as Inter climbed up to equalise.

The atmosphere was stupendous; the stadium was packed and the songs started over an hour before kick-off. As the anthem sounded, the Tribuna Tevere was illuminated by a sea of points of light, as fans waved thousands of sparklers in the dark. The sense of togetherness between the fans and the team is a warming feature of this season. '11 lions; these are our champions'read the Curva Nord's main banner last night. 'We are always with you' sang the fans in unison after the final whistle, as Claudio Lopez remained the last in front of the Curva to salute his hat-trick. Supportive applause even when things go badly and errors are made is a sign of the strength of the rapport and mutual respect between the men on the pitch and the masses in the stands.

The build-up to kick-off saw one of those bizarre moments that would be unimaginable if we hadn't experienced it at first hand. Despite last season's crushing defeat of Inter's title hopes in the Stadio Olimpico, the 'twinning' between the two sets of fans has endured. So before the match, a delegation of the Inter ultras paraded around the running track with a huge banner declaring undying 'amicizia' - friendship - for Lazio. Whereupon the thousands of appreciative Lazio fans chanted in unison 'INTER, IN-TER!'. Followed by a communal rendition of crowd favourite 'Roma merda, Roma Roma merda'. And to even things out, a similar song directed at Inter's city rivals Milan.

Given the lack of emnity between the fans, the Lazio fans confined their emnity to ex-striker Crespo, to referee Rosetti and to Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro. We're not ones to place all the blame on the ref, but last night saw a display of appalling refereeing. Yellow cards were produced against our players at the slightest excuse, while the Inter players remained unreprimanded. Every Lazio tackle was followed by a free-kick for Inter, whereas every time a Lazio player went down, Rosetti waved play on. The Cannavaro hatred was fuelled by several dodgy tackles, but chiefly by an offensive gesture the Neapolitan defender, usually a gentleman, made towards the Lazio fans. From then on he was booed every time he had the ball, and choruses of anti-Naples songs filled the air. (Note: today on TV Cannavaro explained his gestures as part of an ongoing on-pitch feud with former teammate Couto; an excuse politely accepted by Roberto Mancini).

The match ended with a strong awareness of opportunities thrown away. News of Milan's win (apparently a handball goal by Inzaghi) relegated us to second place. 'Still, we're one more point ahead of Roma now,' one wag pointed out. But the dent in our (as yet unexpressed) title hopes matter more. Next week we play Juventus in Turin....

The first thought on waking every day this week: 'We're top!'. Everyone is waiting for Cinderella's clock to strike midnight, but while the fairytale lasts it's a truly sweet experience.

Next weekend is likely to be a crucial one for the title race, and Lazio are going into it with all flags flying. Word is that the players will finally receive their salaries this week... they have certainly done plenty to merit it.

The Stadio Olimpico was very empty today - a cold midweek afternoon for the Coppa Italia, so not very surprising. But the atmosphere was celebratory, and on Saturday night it should be explosive. Today's game was unexciting, although it was interesting to see the players on display. Manfredini was disappointing, but Liverani had a good game and should hopefully feature at the weekends in future. Good to see Giannichedda back from injury, and making his presence felt right away ('Grande Giannichedda' sighed the man behind me after a particularly effective tackle).

Given the lack of nailbiting excitement, we entertained ourselves with a sartorial survey. Despite playing only 40 minutes, Giannichedda's kit quickly became the muddiest on the pitch (wet day, poor pitch conditions) due to all that hard work. Next grubbiest was Inzaghi, a consequence of all the times he ends on the floor (we potted the penalty so can't complain). Given the cold, Inzaghi's decision to opt for bare legs (for some reason long shorts, socks and shinpads didn't seem essential to the flimsy forward) was rather odd. And more good news for fans - someone has given Lucas Castroman a hairband, so hopefully no more mis-sightings of the ball or slips due to limited vision. And maybe he'll suggest the idea to Sorin too.

News tonight is of a huge row at Trigoria (Roma's training ground) between Capello and several of his players, including Batistuta. At Torino, discontented fans broke into the club's facilities.

Meanwhile, Lazio are earning praise from all quarters, held up as an example of everything that is admirable in football. The club's future is highly uncertain, and it's public knowledge that the players haven't been paid since June. And tonight in Austria the team fought as normal, won 3-1 away, and did everything they could to earn a place in the next round of the UEFA Cup.

The financial problems are hugely worrying; but the pleasure of seeing events on pitch, and the pride of supporting Lazio, are nevertheless making this a season to remember and cherish.

Mancini is truly a management genius - it's hard to imagine how he can have taken the unsettled group of players he found at Formello, and made them into a close-knit team driven by the desire to do well. Apparently before every match he exhorts his players to 'Enjoy yourselves.' It obviously works. This has really been a surprisingly enchanted season so far.

A beautiful evening at the Stadio Olimpico. The atmosphere at the moment is wonderful. Today we moved to within one point of the top of Serie A. The club is on the market, our best players were sold, the team have reportedly not been receiving their salaries, yet things are going fantastically well where it matters. This season everyone is praising Lazio; the team are playing good football and have amazed everyone with their success. The rapport between the players and the fans is once more excellent ('We will never leave you' read a banner, conveniently forgetting events at the start of the year). Mihailovic has been forgiven and now all the players are loved. Apart from Liverani, and given his positive contribution tonight, that will hopefully change soon. Our manager is our hero.

Worst aspect of tonight was the Modena fans. They came in large numbers, and were the nastiest and most aggressive that we've seen. On arriving at the stadium, a cloud of teargas filled the air by an abandoned bus, and inside the stadium, the Modena fans seemed more concerned with breaking past police barriers to hurl missiles into the Curva Sud, than with flagwaving and demonstrations of support for their team. Football in Rome usually has a lot of respect for away fans. They travel miles, often in small numbers, and huddle together in the middle of their terraces, supporting their club with a flash of contrasting colours and huge flags. But tonight's representatives, appearing to be doing all they could to provoke battles, seemed thoroughly less admirable.

Fan's confession to make: I didn't go to the game last night. Under the impression that there's more to life than football, a brave lifestyle experiment was made. So no reports from the terraces today; although judging by the television coverage, the fans were in good voice.

It was a stupid decision, obviously. Next midweek match (fingers crossed for the UEFA Cup) we'll be back at the stadium.

What an evening! Derby emotions always run high but tonight's ups and downs were harrowing. Plenty more to write; for tonight the most important thing is the pride in the team that Lazio fans can now feel. 'Sweat and blood' said one of the banners, and that's what the players are giving. They're not the world's best, or most expensive players, they're bound to make a few mistakes, but they're working hard with the right attitude, and are giving the fans exactly what they want. Tonight we could, and should, have won, but a draw still feels pretty good.

Funny to see that Francesco Totti has felt the need to go on record to deny being 'the village idiot' as portrayals in the Italian media (and, it has to be said, public opinion) hold him to be. He reckons that the Milan-centric media are just prejudiced because he is Roman, and successful. It would perhaps be a more convincing argument if the same mockery was levelled at Alessandro Nesta or other contemporaries, or if it wasn't for the fact that his own fans in Rome have a tendency to tell jokes about his intellectual levels and burst out laughing whenever he opens his mouth....

Derby fever is taking hold of the city and the media now. Discussions and replays of past confrontations, bullish declarations. Lazio are going into the match with a one-point advantage over Roma in Serie A, and with hurt pride to salvage after the terrible defeat in March. Time to brush off the flags and build up the scarf-waving muscles. What a time to lose your voice!

11:46 pm
What a great match! The atmosphere was a wash of blue and white banners and the stadium echoed with song long before kick-off. To see the team playing so well against such top-class opposition was wonderful, and to think we were so unlucky so many times... We could have won (it might have helped if Simone Inzaghi hadn't missed quite so many chances including a totally open goal) but a draw still felt like a victory. There was a real buzz around the stadium - despite all the problems and dire prophecies, this is a team who COULD go far this season. And with Liverani and Manfredini back the team should be even stronger.

The Nesta angle: of course it was strange, probably stranger for him than anyone. It was good to see live images of the tunnel before kick off, where the former captain and his erstwhile comrades hugged each other with genuine affection. The crowd reaction was mixed, some applauding and some whistling (just as Nesta himself, who knows the fans better than anyone, predicted). The only time things seemed really strained was when he went down injured. The stadium filled with whistles and jeers, but his former teammates crowded around supportively. When he left the pitch there was a reasonable amount of clapping. Wounds heal. It's just that this one is still so fresh, and many fans feel a genuine sense of betrayal.

'Welcome back, Lazio', says the Gazzetta dello Sport.

28 September 2002

5:50pm
The tension is killing me. I'm off to the stadium.

25 September 2002

Satisfying to see the headlines about Roma fans protesting outside Trigoria. After the bad press Lazio always get for the comportment of the fans, it's good to see proof of what everyone in Rome knows: the Roma fans are at least as bad. Demonstrating outside the training ground, hurling abuse at players... it's all very familiar to Lazio fans after last season and a good reminder of the ups and downs of fate. It's all swings and roundabouts...

Mustn't give into smugness at Roma's problems though. It's balm to a battered heart, but to be fair they have been facing tough opposition. And our prospects against Milan on Saturday don't look good. Milan seem completely unstoppable, the strongest team around. Sadly, one of the biggest hopes we have is that our former captain will be overcome with emotion and make a few slip-ups. I'd be very keen on seeing Milan, if it wasn't for the fear of what could happen in the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday night. A great team, great players. It's nice to see Pippo Inzaghi back to being Superpippo, after a difficult couple of seasons and a lot of criticism. We just have to hope that our Inzaghino is also on form.

19 September 2002

This evening was the real start of the season. The stadium was fairly empty, but the Curva Nord was packed and on fine vocal form. The atmosphere throughout the game was supportive and enthusiastic, with barely any breaks in the singing and clapping. The first half dragged on, with Xanthi looking threatening in attack, although Lazio dominated the possession. Then after Manfredini's goal and half time, things caught fire. It was great to see Manfredini score; the player became a father for the first time a couple of days ago, has now excelled for his new team with an impressive performance, and sealed it with an important goal. A great way to settle into a club where the anti-Lazio brigade would claim the coloured player might face problems.

As goal after goal went in (including a second disallowed effort) the joy grew. We were watching a team who convinced, a team who could pass, attack, create and - crucially! - score goals. Both players and fans faced the novelty of a closing whistle that did not herald a swift gloomy exit from the stadium. At the beginning of the season, at the beginning of the UEFA Cup campaign, we can still hope and dream. The players seemed as reluctant to leave the pitch as the fans were to leave the Curva; the celebrations went on as the stadium echoed with cheers. True, it was only a first match against relatively minor opposition, but it felt like much more.

18 September 2002

Should have remembered to note one of the nicest moments of Sunday's match. At half time the Lazio women's team were presented to the crowds, and the stadium echoed to the sound of fans singing 'We are the champions of Italy'. The female side won the scudetto last season, and according to fans who watch their matches, could have taught the men's team a thing or two.

It was a bittersweet moment last night, watching Crespo's two excellent goals for Inter Milan in the Champions League. Tonight it's Nesta's turn to shine for his new club. On television Gigi Buffon is kissing a giant. It's a very strange world.

16 September 2002

Well, a new season, a new start. There isn't really any point in dwelling on the past and deals that are done and dusted. The atmosphere was positive and encouraging at the Stadio Olimpico yesterday afternoon, the stands sky blue with scarves and banners, new and old. The crowds sang, chanted, shouted and clapped their support for the team, and joy reached ecstatic levels when the season's first goal went in, scored by none other than the stadium's darling, Diego Simeone.

But somehow it didn't quite happen the way it was meant to. It was the tiny cluster of Chievo fans who were given the license to go wild with excitement as the game progressed. Lazio played ok, the determination seemed to be there at the beginning, but shadows of last season began creeping across the field. In both defence and attack there were big holes (no comment). Fernando Couto played an inexplicably bad game, and the strike force just wasn't threatening enough. Simone Inzaghi came on midway through the second half, but it begins to look as though he'll never again reach the levels of a couple of seasons back. Best player on the pitch was Stam, but he's not enough to carry a team.

Hopefully when some of our injured players are back, the squad will begin to triumph. Liverani may make all the difference in midfield, and no-one can wait to see what Chiesa can do. (Incidentally, it was Mancini who many fans were most keen to see on the pitch). Thursday it's the Xanthi game and our chance of European advancement. Tutti allo stadio.

31 August 2002

Hard to write anything. A day of emotion, tragedy, and bitterness for Lazio fans. Much has been and will be said (not just here) about conspiracies, financial chicanery, prime ministerial intervention, the strong-arming of players and the general injustice of life, but for now we have to decide whether to go to the Juventus friendly tonight, and cling to unreasonable and fragile hopes. More to follow.

24 August 2002

A great atmosphere warmed the Stadio Olimpico last night as fans welcomed back their representatives on the pitch. Even a banner of Nesta got a standing ovation. Mancini was welcomed back to Lazio with celebrating that verged on the blasphemous - his public address drowned out by the cheering fans. Like members of Spinal Tap, the players were announced one by one, stepping forward with the cameras on them to salute their public. Wonderful for the likes of Simeone - 'Simeone, Simeone, Simeone..' sang the delirious stadium as usual - Nesta and new golden boy Enrico Chiesa, but possibly less rewarding for Fiore, Mihailovic and the others who are still in the Curva Nord bad books. A large proportion of the crowd, of course, were having no truck with these prejudices: Mihailovic was applauded by half of the stadium every time he touched the ball, and his salute in reply showed that he was touched by the gesture.

The game was generally good-humoured, uninspiring but respectably-played. The atmosphere was relaxed enough for players to acknowledge their fans, Peruzzil even giving a special wave to a tiny knot of supporters chanting his name. After all the talk of cutting down the size of the rosa (first team), it was good to see that there are still so many decent players on the pitch and the bench. Hope we can hang on to them all until the transfer market closes. At least this UEFA ban (if it's real) could have a positive effect.

21 August 2002

Great news (if true) about Chiesa. There was talk of the striker going to Spurs, but good news for Lazio if he's coming to the capital. Just hope we get to see both him and Crespo up front.

Today was a big day for Football in Rome: the acquisition of a 2002-2003 season ticket. That's every other Sunday booked up until May. Great to see the stadium again on the way to the ticket office; strange to witness the Stadio Olimpico minus crowds and excitement. The old heart swelled up to be walking over the Tiber to that familiar white structure.

20 August 2002

Everything's warming up for the new season now (despite the irritating postponement of the first round). The team has changed amazingly little, given all the inflated transfer gossip. It's addio Mendieta and - alas - Poborsky, but otherwise very few changes (so far. Touch wood. Etc.) The Captain is thankfully still with us, as are Crespo and Stam. The transfer market is still open for another couple of weeks, so it's too soon to relax, but at least things are looking promising. Admittedly this team performed miracles of under-achievement last year, but somehow the vibe is more positive at the moment. Regardless of Mancini's credentials, the good feeling surrounding his appointment counts for something. And as was illustrated by one or two isolated moments last season (Lazio-Inter a prime example), the team is theoretically capable of great feats.

And on the continuing find-a-Lazio-fan-in-Rome quest, we can report that several more have been coming out of the woodwork. Last season was a time to lie low, but in the past weeks we've found ourselves at a table with four other fans (a unique feat in the heart of the city), and have discovered that the local fruit-and-veg stall is a secret Lazio rendezvous point for those in the know. When it's not surrounded by old ladies lambasting Italy's World Cup performance: 'England played much more strongly. We were a disgrace!'.

8 June 2002

It's a long time since I've written this Lazio diary, as all the news is of transfers. Apart from the fact it's upsetting and infuriating (especially the Nesta saga), it seems to be fruitless getting worked up, as so little seems definite. Lazio are broke, they have to sell everyone in order to keep Nesta. Lazio are selling Nesta, they need the money. Lopez is definitely going to Madrid. Crespo is going to Barcelona. They've all signed deals. No, the deals are still being worked on. No-one has offered for Crespo. Lazio are too broke to buy or pay anyone. On the contrary, Cragnotti has flown to Spain to agree a deal for Rivaldo. Like our bitterly-disputed captain, I'm going to concentrate on the World Cup. I'll start paying attention to the transfer stories when the players concerned appear in their new strips.

9 May 2002

Not sure what to make of Mancini's arrival. It was obvious months ago that he would be the next choice, but while sentiment will welcome him back, football is big business and affection wears thin very quickly (especially among Lazio fans). He knows the set up, true, as some have argued, but so did Zoff. Mancini is very inexperienced; his time on the Fiorentina bench marked by no great success. There were outside problems in Florence, but the same is likely to be true at Formello. We'll just have to wait and see. Given the team's difficulties this season, the most crucial factor in rejuvenation is likely to be the summer retreat. Hopefully the new purchases will have arrived in time to gel with the rest of the team, and we will see understanding and teamwork by the time Serie A restarts in the autumn.

On the other big topic of the week, the Italy World Cup squad seems pretty unexciting. There's not much to argue with in defence, but the midfield and attack are less inspiring. Baggio's exclusion was justifiable, but given the 23 places available, one might think that he would do some good to have along, if only as a good luck token (although imagine if he was to take another penalty...). Come to think of it, maybe the team need a spiritual counsellor.

The end of a season and the end of an era. The next time Lazio jog out on to the turf of the Stadio Olimpico the team and management may be changed beyond recognition. But along with the sense of loss that accompanies the season's end, comes a strange mixture of pride and frustration. Pride, because Lazio played convincing, attractive football, and proved they could beat champions (let's not forget our good recent record against Juve). The team displayed their qualities, individual and collective, and demonstrated their integrity and that of Serie A in general. Frustration because it was so late. A team playing as Lazio played today could have won over the critics long ago, and finished in a much higher position.

Frustration, too, with fellow Lazio fans. Due to two major factors, the vociferous ultras had already declared their colours: black and blue. The first factor was the fear of Roma sneaking first place, and the city engulfed in further giallorosso celebrations. The second: the established 'twinning' between Lazio and Inter fans. Add to this the fans' bitterness against the team this season, and their hatred of Zaccheroni, and you find a stadium echoing with the chant 'Inter, Inter'. Thousands of Inter fans had made their way down from Milan and the crowd was very mixed, though amicable. Many fans sported the colours of both teams. In the Curva Nord, Lazio irriducibili waved Inter flags. There were public displays of solidarity between the two sides, shared anti-Milan and anti-Roma chants, and universal anti-Juve ritual shouts

Everyone was convinced Lazio would lose. Even if they try to win, was the argument, how likely are they to succeed? Having resisted the temptation to make a hundred euros selling our tickets to Inter fans, we were overjoyed to find we were watching a genuinely competitive match. When Poborsky scored Lazio's second goal, the fans were visibly divided. Some of us were celebrating whole-heartedly; seeing our team heading for a glorious victory. Others remained seated, or shouted hostility. During the second half, these differences grew greater. The only crowd trouble visible was between groups of Lazio fans 'debating' the rights and wrongs of supporting their team. It was very disappointing to watch fans attempting to spoil their team's best victory in a long time. True, no-one wanted to see a Juventus Scudetto (their 26th), but, after all, Roma were not going to win. And it was disgraceful to see the reaction of the Curva Nord to the final whistle. Insults, jeers, seats flying, fireworks and smoke, both inside and outside the stadium. However resigned we may have been to defeat, and however content we would have been with an Inter victory, it should have been impossible to see our team playing like that and turn against them.

Roma are no longer champions of Italy, Lazio occupy all the headlines, winning plaudits for style and integrity: the Scudetto was decided by Lazio. After a bitterly frustrating season, those are fine things.

The modest and hardworking Poborsky, a bargain acquisition too often overlooked, bowed out with goals that decided Seria A: not bad for a player who has said he wants to retire to prepare for a new career. After a nervous start, Peruzzi was solid, the defence were convincing - particularly Nesta, who coped well with Ronaldo and cleared a ball off the line to save Lazio, happily back on form in time for the World Cup. Giannichedda was as tenacious as ever in midfield, and Inzaghi and Stankovich hard-working and goal-hungry; no-one had a bad match.

For the next few months domestic football is set to descend into a market place of trading, purchases and sales. Hopefully whatever team and manager we are presented with next season, we will see more matches this exciting and players of this calibre.