Louis Saha Joins Lazio

Lazio has signed French Striker Louis Saha on a free transfer.

Serie A club Lazio has had the need to fill a hole in their forward corps since Miroslav Klose went down with a knee injury.  They've turned to French International Louis Saha to try and fill that void.  That's right, that Saha, of Everton and United fame, among others.

Saha had been playing with Sunderland in the EPL this year but had failed to tally a goal in 11 appearances, all off the subs bench.  His contract with the Black Cats was terminated at the end of January by mutual consent.  We'll see how he does, as Klose is out at least eight weeks.  Saha's contract will last for six months.

Last year Saha spent the better part of the season at Spurs after leaving Everton.  He scored 3 goals in 10 appearances for Tottenham.  He was released in July 2012, then signed by Sunderland.  He has 20 caps and four goals for the French senior side.

Tottenham Fans Attacked in Rome

Italian Police at the scene where Spurs fans were attacked in Rome. (EPA)

Tottenham and their fans will have heavy hearts during their Europa League match against Lazio today after five Spurs fans were injured during an attack by Lazio "ultras" overnight.  The trouble occurred at the "Drunken Ship Pub" In Rome's Campo De Fiori square at approximately 1 AM local time.

The proprietor described the pub as being full of about 30 Spurs fans at the time, most of them between the ages of 40 and 50 and were "quite well behaved."  Shortly after 1 about 50 assailants arrived at the pub, wielding knives, baseball bats, clubs, rocks, and knuckle dusters, among other things.  They beat and chased the Spurs fans into a local street where one fan, identified as Mr. Ashley Mills was "hit with a knife."  As of this morning Mills was still "seriously ill" in a Rome hospital.  The attackers dispersed before the police arrived.

Witnesses describe the attack as having antisemitic tones, as the attackers, dressed in scooter helmets and scarves, were shouting "Jews" at the Spurs fans.  According to the Daily Mail UK, Lazio fans are often right wing types who often use fascist slogans and salutes at their matches.  Spurs supporters are often called the "Yid Army" due to their large Jewish following in North London.

British authorities were said to be monitoring the investigation and confirmed that there will be additional security at the Europa League match between Spurs and Lazio.  The club put the number of injured at 9, and was working with British and Italian Police to investigate and assure their supporters' safety.  Spurs supporters were urged to take shuttle buses to and from the match.

The Ultras also trashed the pub before dispersing, leaving much of the equipment and furniture damaged beyond repair.  For their part, Lazio have denied that their supporters were responsible for the attack.  The Drunken Ship Pub is the same place where three Middlesbrough fans were stabbed during a visit to the city in 2006.

Italian Match Thoughts: Lazio vs. Juventus

For some reason I've been on this kick for watching Juventus lately. It couldn't be because they're playing some of the best football in Italy, could it? Yes, it probably could.

This one was really fun to watch as well. The low scoreline is a bit deceptive. Both sides created quite a few quality chances. It really was an example of some of the best that Serie A has had to offer so far this season.

The first 20 minutes pretty much belonged to Juventus. Claudio Marchisio got things started with a bang in the 10th minute as just BARELY missed with a header over the Lazio crossbar. He really should have scored. Andrea Pirlo stood up to take the next chance on 13 minutes, but found his shot blocked. He tried again with an absolutely gorgeous free kick in the 16th, that was only kept out by an equally brilliant save from the Lazio 'keeper.

After weathering the opening storm from Juve, Lazio got their feet. In the 21st minute they were helped out by a Juve defensive blunder which Tommaso Rocchi turned into a shot that was neatly saved by Buffon. However, just seconds later, Cristian Ledesma sent in a wonder strike that looked bound for the back of the net but somehow crept wide.

Lazio's failure to convert some of their chances in the first half eventually came back to haunt them. In the 34th minute, Juve sparked a counter and Matri managed to find Pepe with a beautiful cross. Pepe promptly banged it into the back of the net to give Juve the 0-1 lead at the half.

The second half slowed just a little bit, but again both sides had chances. Lazio went on a great run of attack from about the 60th-70th minutes. It featured great chances from Hernanes, who hit the post, and Miroslav Klose, who forced a quality save from Buffon. However in the end, they couldn't convert and Juve held on to the 0-1 win.

Juventus takes the three points and continues their great top of the table run, Lazio played a great game however, and gave the Old Lady all they could handle. I expecy both of these teams to be in the mix for the Champions League spots, if not for the Scudetto itself. Great match.

Italian Match Thoughts: AC Milan vs. Lazio

After a players' strike eliminated week of the Italian Serie A, things finally got off the ground this weekend in fairly spectacular fashion all over Italy. The first match took place on Friday at the San Siro in Milan between the reigning champions AC Milan and Roman club Lazio.

Honestly, just looking at the result it might be hard to believe that was an Italian game. Both sides started with a bang, and all the goals came in the opening 32 minutes, but it was a great match to watch all the way around.

Lazio especially got started off on the front foot. Their new summer signing, the German International Klose opened the scoring for the 2011-2012 Serie A season in the 12 minute, banging a shot past Abbiati to give Lazio the 0-1 league. The Milan defense looked to be somewhat in disarray. In the 18th minute, Nesta and Gattuso collide right outside the area and created an open shot for Cisse, but Abbiati managed to save it and keep it 0-1. There was a rebound but Klose put the shot wide.

However, Lazio did manage to double their lead in the 21st minute. Cisse came through and headed the ball into the back of the net to make it 0-2. Up until this point, it looked like Lazio was the home side and defending champs.

Milan was not to be outdone. Prince Boateng had been the most post potent offensive plaver for Milan and started to get some shots on goal. Then in the 29th Ibrahimovic took a nice pass from Cassano and banged it into the empty net to make it 1-2. Then just 4 minutes later Cassano made his presence known again, this time heading in a corner kick to equalize at 2-2, which was the score at half time.

The second half was mostly Milan, but neither they nor Lazio could manage to break the draw and the match finished at 2-2. it was obvious that the two sides were a little spent after the fantastic display in the first half. The match ended with the 2-2 score. All in all it was a great way to start the new Serie A season.

Serie A: Lazio vs. Juventus

So here we have another match between teams in Serie A that are trying to sort out the European spots for next year. Lazio just clinging above Udinese and Roma, Juventus just behind them.

Despite the stakes, it turned out to be a little bit of a pedestrian affair. The first half was very tactical and you got the sense the teams were feeling each other out. More chances arose in the second half, but only one was taken.

Lazio looked the stronger of the teams right off. They took the pressure to Juve, but they just sat and soaked it up really. Hernanes had a good look in the second minute, but hit the shot just wide. Brocchi had a rather nice look off of a corner in the 26th, but headed it right at the keeper. Then in the 33rd, Floccari looked likely to score, but again the shot was saved. Bending, not breaking, for Juve.

Things started to open just a little as we approached the half. Matri finally had an attempt on goal for Juventus in the 36th, only have it saved. Felipe Melo had a gorgeous look in the 41st, but his poor finish went way over the bar and we went to the half at 0-0.

The 2nd half looked a lot better. Juventus came out and attacked a little. In the 49th, Del Piero put a great shot just high, and it looked like we had a match on our hands. Lazio almost took the lead in the 53rd, when Brocchi put a shot JUST high over the bar. A great chance.

The teams traded half chances until we got to the 81st minute, when Juve got what looked like a really promising break. However, Ledesma brought Melo down around midfield and earned his second yellow card and put Lazio down to ten men. At this point, Juve cranked up the heat. It paid off in the 87th minute when Pepe slotted one home to give Juventus the 0-1 win.

The biggest effect from this game is on Lazio failing to really cement 4th spot. That could be a really big deal with Udinese coming up for them. For Juve, Europa league football is still in their sights after they picked up a crucial three points in the Capital.

Serie A: Inter Milan vs. Lazio

This was a really fun match to watch, and as an Inter supporter, I'm sure glad they ended up winning. Leonardo has been under pressure as Manager, and a loss would have surely put them out of the Scudetto picture.

The match was nice and wide open early as both clubs had something to play for. Inter is still barely chasing the title, and Lazio, once considered contenders, are fighting for a spot in Europe. Lazio got a nice on goal in the 5th minute that forced Cesar to make a save. In the next minute Samuel Eto'o curled a shot just wide. Nice end to end stuff. In the 11th minute, Eto'o roared up the pitch on a break, only have the ball taken off him at the last second. Replay showed that it should have been a free kick. Lazio responded in the 15th with a nice run by Zarate, but Ranocchia made a gorgeous tackle in the area to spoil the chance.

Then the goals started. In the 22nd, Zarate broke 1 on 1 with Cesar. The Inter keeper brought him down in the area resulting in a penalty kick and a red card. Zarate scored on the cold Inter back up keeper, 0-1 to Lazio.

Inter put together a response though. They really started to build and put pressure on the Lazio defensive third. Sneijder had a shot saved in the 28th minute, and he managed to equalize in the 40th with a gorgeous bending free kick that was a great crowning moment on all the Inter pressure. We went to the half tied at 1-1.

Lazio tried to hang in there in the second half, and had some chances. Inter had the better chances though, and finished off their impressive performance. Zarate had to settle down after a hard tackle on Maicon earned him a yellow.

Inter took the lead in the 53rd. Samuel Eto'o made his presence felt yet again. Taking the ball up the pitch, he ran rings around the Lazio defense and slotted the winner home. Great finish, 2-1 Inter. Mauri got sent off in the 66th minute, putting both sides at 10, and Inter held on for the three points at home. A great win for them versus a good side, but the hole they're in now is probably too deep to get out of. They still might win the Coppa Italia though.