Following weeks of transfer talk and remarkably little action, Lazio have finally confirmed one move: the loan of Gaizka Mendieta to Barcelona. The Basque midfielder has left Lazio's summer retreat. Other tranfers are still uncertain. Legal difficulties have blocked Manfredini's move from Chievo, Rivaldo is under renewed discussion since a falling-out with Barcelona, Crespo and Lopez still remain with Lazio despite talk of a UK transfer for the latter and a Real Madrid future for the former. Captain Nesta, meanwhile, has joined the rest of his teammates in Vigo di Fassa, and continues to express hopes that he will stay with his club.

'I'm embarrassed to have taken up so many front pages,' he told a press conference. 'For now I'm Lazio captain. I'm here with the team and I'll continue to wear this jersey. I don't know what will happen..I hope to remain.' He dismissed many of the stories of recent weeks as 'mostly the inventions of journalists - for example, my supposed statement from Stromboli, when in fact I was on holiday in the Maldives.'

While the transfer talks reportedly continue, for Pancaro, Sorin and Dino Baggio as well as for Nesta, Crespo and Lopez, the team are already training together in preparation for the new season. Following their retreat in the Dolomites, the squad will fly to the UK to play a series of friendly matches, as previously reported.

After a brief team 'pre-retreat' in Calabria, the work begins again for Lazio. From the 13-26 July, as previously reported, Lazio will be on their summer retreat in the Dolomites, at small ski resort Vigo di Fassa. The local tourist authorities happily welcome not only the team and entourage, but also supporters who can think of no better way to spend their holidays than following their team. The location sounds idyllic, and the locals have put together special accommodation packages for Lazio fans. To find out more, visit the area's website: www.fassa.com.

While there, the team will play a number of friendly matches: against local sides, and also Napoli and Hamburg.

From 30th July the team will be in the United Kingdom. A great chance for UK-based fans to show their support... They will be playing against Liverpool (30 July), Derby County (5 August), Blackburn (9 August) and Spurs (11 August).

For the Spurs match, Lazio fans can buy tickets by calling +44 (0)8700-112222, Mon-Fri 10am-6pm. Tickets around £25-£30. To find out more details about the Spurs match, visit the website at www.spurs.co.uk.

From his holiday in the Aeolian Islands, (former?) Lazio captain Alessandro Nesta reportedly stated tonight that he is going to Inter Milan; and that the deal - despite denials by Moratti and Cragnotti - is done. 'I'd have liked to play with Cannavaro at Juventus, too,' he said, 'But it will be a dream to play with Ronaldo and Vieri.'

More developments to follow...

The latest headlines about the Nesta transfer saga:

1. Nesta is being taken off the market, he'll stay at Lazio.
2. He is going to Inter
3. Juventus are still in the running
4. He's leaving Italy and going to Real Madrid
5. He will be playing in Spain next season
6. Cragnotti will sell the defender in order to buy Rivaldo

The gist of the stories seems to be that, as previously reported, Inter and Juventus collaborated to keep down the asking price for the Lazio captain. Unable to continue his bidding war, Cragnotti has reportedly either flown to Spain to re-stoke interest there (principally with Real Madrid) or withdrawn Nesta from the market (again).

28 June 2002

For more read the World Cup weblog (click here).

A large proportion of the world's transfer rumours revolve around luckless Lazio captain Alessandro Nesta. The distance between the player and club appears to have grown over the last few months, with club boss Cragnotti retracting his vow to keep the player, and instead embarking on an undignified 'auction', visiting other club presidents around Italy and Spain in an attempt to stoke up a bidding war for the star defender.

The teams most frequently reported to be close to signing Nesta are Juventus and Inter, followed by Milan. Today's stories suggest that Moratti and Moggi, who hold the purse strings for Inter and Juve respectively, have been in touch in an effort to keep down the asking price.

Meanwhile, it is beginning to look as though Lopez and Crespo may both, after all, be staying at Lazio for the next season. While Simeone is definitely going to Atletico Madrid, negotiations seem to have stalled over the two Argentine strikers.

The Italian football authorities have officially announced the dates for the next footballing season. The 2002-2003 Serie A season will kick off on September 1st and will close on 25th May 2003. There will be breaks for international matches on the 8th September, 13th October and 30th March, and also a lengthened Christmas break with no matches between 22nd December and 12th January.

The UEFA Cup, for which Lazio just managed to qualify, will be contested (first round) on 19th September and 3rd October. Subsequent encounters will be on 31st October and 14th November, 28th November and 12th December, 20th and 27th February, 13th and 20th March (quarter-finals), 10th and 24th April (semis) and the Final will be held on 21st May.

Meanwhile, Lazio have begun releasing for sale their new season tickets (special deals for women), and have confirmed their summer retreat details. The team - who that may include is as yet unclear - will train at Vigo di Fassa in northern Italy, from 12th-26th July. After that they are set to visit the UK to play several friendlies.

4 June 2002

Wildly fantastic stories of transfers, loans and sales continue to eddy around the edges of the World Cup news. It seems unlikely that the true stories will be known until the players step onto their respective pitches next season. The latest Nesta stories are that AC Milan have entered the running with a bid, that Manchester United are offering the temptation of Veron (an old story, coupled with the offer to write off the money still owed for Stam), that Nesta is definitely going to Juventus (one day) and certainly heading for Inter (the next day). Meanwhile, plans to sell Crespo in Spain appear to have faltered, and the latest tale to emerge is that the supposedly cash-strapped Lazio are considering Rivaldo. (Whether he would consider Lazio we haven't been told).

Another week of rumour, claims and counter-claims on the transfer front. As the Italian national side flew to Japan in preparation for the World Cup, worrying news for Lazio fans is the indirect exchanges that have been taking place between club captain Alessandro Nesta and club boss Cragnotti.

Nesta has never hidden the fact that the constant stories of his departure upset him both on and off the pitch. Despite Sergio Cragnotti's public assurance that he was not on the market, rumours of meetings between Cragnotti and Juventus and Inter have grown stronger. Last weekend, Nesta issued an unprecedented ultimatum to his club: he wanted to know his destiny before departing for Japan. Having already declared his willingness to accept a salary cap to stay with his home side ("It's not as though I'll go hungry if my salary drops a little,") he responded thus to stories of a meeting at Cragnotti's Montepulciano property between Cragnotti and potential buyers: 'It's good wine there: I hope they didn't drink too much of it.'

The evening of the Azzurri's departure for Japan - after Nesta with other squad members received ovations at Rome's Stadio Flaminio - the Cragnottis responded by issuing another statement denying that the defender was on the market. Stories of deals, however, continue to circulate, and Nesta himself, from the Azzurri's base in Sendai, expressed cynical doubt in his president's words. He didn't know what his future was, he told journalists, 'When they've done it, they'll let me know. Maybe by telegram...'

The latest development in this dialogue via the media is Cragnotti's assertion that Nesta is with Lazio "at the moment. If he wants to go, he should tell us. I haven't heard from him."

Lazio's continuing financial difficulties currently cast a shadow of doubt over everything. The proposed acquisitions of Manfredini and Eriberto, the talked-about quest for Veron, all seem to be ideas tossed about while finances are juggled.

9 May 2002

Today the long expected announcement was made: Roberto Mancini is confirmed as the new manager of Lazio. Club president Sergio Cragnotti made the official statement after a special meeting of stockholders. As was already widely-reported, Mancini has signed a contract for two years with his former club, where he is likely to be welcomed back enthusiastically by the fans who have fond memories of his days at Lazio.

Meanwhile, both Lopez and Mendieta have confirmed their moves to Atletico Madrid (Mendieta on loan), and Simeone is looking likely to follow them. Crespo is generally supposed to be moving to Spain. Today, Cragnotti had stern words for his players: next year there will be a salary cap, and he warned that there will be no place for any players who wanted higher salaries or who wanted a say in the running of the club or in new acquisitions. The criticism has been taken as a dig particularly directed at Crespo, but it may also bear relevance to club captain Alessandro Nesta, who in the last two days was reported as being vague about his future, implying that his own desires might be affected by the club's new direction and purchases: "We'll see" was his prediction.

9 May 2002

The 23 names comprising Italy's 2002 World Cup squad were announced yesterday, and contain few surprises. Many are disappointed at the exclusion of Roberto Baggio, on the grounds of his recent injury. Pro-Baggio petitions had been circulating, and today a small demonstration was continuing to express support for the star. Only one Lazio player, Nesta, is included, with Fiorentina veteran Di Livio being preferred to Stefano Fiore.

The full list of names is:
Goal: Buffon, Toldo, Abbiati
Defence: Cannavaro, Nesta, Maldini, Materazzi, Iuliano, Panucci
Midfield: Zambrotta, Di Biagio, Zanetti, Coco, Di Livio, Gattuso, Tommasi, Doni
Forwards: Totti, Vieri, F. Inzaghi, Del Piero, Delvecchio, Montella.

This site is contemplating a special World Cup Zone: stay tuned for further developments as kick off approaches.

8 May 2002

On Monday night Alberto Zaccheroni received his widely expected summons to the office of Lazio president Sergio Cragnotti. No clear statement has been made by Lazio, but news of his departure and the new coach is expected to be formalised by Thursday. Due to replace Zaccheroni - the announcement is expected this week - is the former Lazio favourite Roberto Mancini, who has seemed an inevitable choice for many months, despite his lack of experience and managerial success.

The reported arrival of Mancini has stimulated still further the summer transfer rumours. He looks likely to summon one or more of the players he worked with during his brief spell at Fiorentina, with Chiesa's name at the top of the list. Lopez, Mendieta and Simeone are all said to be heading for Atletico Madrid (Mendieta on transfer) - who have partially confirmed the stories - while Crespo is also rumoured to be departing for Spain.

5 May 2002

Juventus are new Champions of Italy, thanks to Lazio's surprise - but convincing - defeat of Inter at the Stadio Olimpico. Against all expectations and accusations, Lazio defended the integrity of Italian football, defying their fans and foes alike to win 4-2 in a passionate and exciting confrontation. Meanwhile Juventus won away against Udinese to sail past Inter to the Scudetto, followed by Roma, whose defeat of Torino took them into second place.

In a stadium packed with Inter fans, talk of defeatism and/or match-fixing seemed justified in the opening minutes. Lazio left space at the back for Inter's three star forwards, and a clumsy fumble by Peruzzi gifted Vieri the first goal. But if Lazio had decided to win, as their own fans urged them to do, no-one had told Karel Poborsky. The hard-working Czech, due to leave Lazio and possibly to retire, beat Toldo to equalise for the home side. There was consternation all around, celebrations from the Lazio fans still supporting their side, and whistles from the Curva Nord, who continued to support Inter. Next a corner from Inter put the game back on the 'planned' track: Di Biagio headed home to put Inter back into the lead.

However, Lazio were not prepared to give up so easily. Displaying what would afterwards be praised as professionalism, honour and determination, they continued to threaten the prospective champions. In the 45th minute, a careless piece of defending by Gresko sent the ball into Poborsky's path. A second goal, and Lazio were set for a competitive second half. Inter returned to the pitch tense and worried, and seemed to sense the Scudetto slipping between their fingers. Within ten minutes Diego Simeone put Lazio ahead with a confident header. Twenty minutes later Simone Inzaghi followed this with a header of his own, and the game was decided. Lazio had maintained their excellent home record and won against Inter, securing a Coppa Uefa place. Juventus had won the Scudetto, with Roma taking the other direct Champion's League place.

As the pro-Inter Lazio fans demonstrated their frustration by hurling seats and fireworks, another confrontation was allegedly taking place in the tunnel. A flare-up between Stam and Vieri reportedly descended into a fight between the two players, with Couto, Poborsky, Materazzi and Kallon all becoming involved, and Simeone attempting to play the peacemaker.

For news of the terrace atmosphere at this emotional match, click here.

Another headline unrelated to the Scudetto but of interest to Lazio fans appeared on the BBC website today, where sources reported a series of arguments between former Lazio star Juan Sebastian Veron and his current team Manchester United. Apparently the Argentine left the UK with his family to return to Rome, where he still has a house, after rows with the club and senior players, which continued in the airport.

Final placings are: Juventus 71, Roma 70, Inter 69, Milan 55, Chievo 54, Lazio 53, Bologna 52, Perugia 46, Atalanta 45, Parma 44, Torino 43, Piacenza 42, Brescia 40, Udinese 40, Verona 39, Lecce 28, Fiorentina 22, Venezia 18.

3 May 2002

As the season draws to a melodramatic close, the Lazio camp has become bogged down in rumour and contention.

During a dramatic training session on Thursday, fans outside the training ground at Formello shouted their hostility and urged the team to lose Sunday's title clincher with Inter. The players, officials and fellow professionals have gone on record stating their integrity and determination to win for a place in the UEFA Cup. For many Roman Lazio fans, however, anything would be better than another Roma scudetto. With the chairmen of all three title-chasing clubs prone to accusatory press-briefings, the controversy is likely to reverberate long after Sunday, regardless of the outcome at the Stadio Olimpico.

In the tense climate at Formello, rumours are flying of team tensions. After a clash with Colonnese, Mendieta reportedly left the ground in a rage, while Crespo and Lopez both retired with injuries described as 'diplomatic' and have been declared as unfit to play on Sunday. Meanwhile in defence of his teammate Pancaro, Nesta apparently lost his temper and rounded on cat-calling fans, 'sending them to the devil'.

It's unclear who the troubled Zaccheroni will be able to play against Inter on Sunday. Crespo, Lopez, Mendieta, Stankovic and Mihailovic are all now in doubt or ruled out. Liverani is suspended.

And off the pitch, Lazio have refused to publicly confirm the existence of a signed agreement with prospective manager Roberto Mancini. The announcement, however, is widely expected, and papers are already discussing his likely input into acquisitions and sales: the retention of Mendieta is now mooted, along with the purchase of assorted Viola players.

1 May 2002

While Rome celebrates a sunny Primo Maggio with open air concerts, the press is buzzing with reports that Roberto Mancini has already signed a contract commencing 1 June, and will shortly be arriving to manage Lazio. The reports are not yet officially confirmed, but are generally assumed to have more foundation than the regular round-up of transfer stories. According to the press, Cragnotti met Mancini yesterday in Montepulciano, where the two discussed contract details, and next season's squad.

Transfer market rumours are buzzing as they did before Cragnotti's recently-retracted vow to keep Crespo and Nesta. According to recent stories, Lopez, Mendieta, Stankovic, Fiore and Pancaro are among the players packing their cases, while new destinations are proposed every day for stars Nesta, Crespo and Stam. A recently-proposed salary cap, and the doubtfulness of European qualification add to the climate of uncertainty surrounding these expensive talents.

28 April 2002

Lazio's hopes of a Champion's League place withered with this defeat by rivals Bologna. With cruel irony, former Lazio legend Beppe Signori scored the home side's first goal; a challenge which the faltering visitors failed to rise to. In a match marked by impotent frustration, Zaccheroni fielded a formation with Crespo in attack supported by Fiore. In the second half the manager brought on an eager Lopez, but Lazio rarely looked threatening, and couldn't capitalise on the reduction of Bologna to ten men after the sending-off of Giulio Falcone. In stoppage time, the rossoblu managed a second goal, sealing Lazio's misery.

After the game renewed voices called for the dismissal of Zaccheroni; the most frequently-mentioned name for a replacement being Roberto Mancini. The manager himself was already anticipating next week's climactic confrontation with leaders Inter. "Next Sunday it is our duty to compete," he said, in an oblique swipe at the voices suggesting Lazio would be happy to lose to an Inter capable of beating Roma to the scudetto. "If we want a place in the UEFA Cup we must beat Inter."

Meanwhile, all three top teams won their matches, leaving a tense countdown to the season's final ninety minutes. Current standings at the top of the table: Inter 69, Juventus 68, Roma 67, Milan 52, Bologna 52, Chievo 51, Lazio 50, Atalanta 45.