ANGELO PERUZZI (LAZIO)

seemed incredible to me that a ‘keeper of his quality could be benched. Our game is losing not only a great man, but also a legend.” Roma captain Francesco Totti had similar views. “He’s a great personality as well as a great friend. I really hope he changes his mind.” Roma teammate Daniele De Rossi, who hugged him after the April derby, noted: “Angelo was the person who stayed closest to me during the World Cup after my dismissal against the United States saw me go into a really difficult moment of my career. This demonstrates that he is as great a champion in life as he is on the field of play.” Such a view is shared by Lazio President Claudio Lotito, who is hoping that Peruzzi will still be his club’s No 1 next season. “We have given him the freedom and the time to make a decision, now we’ll see what happens at the end of the campaign,” he stated. “A person can say something one day and then make a different choice after reflecting on a situation. I continue to hope he won’t quit.” The manner of Peruzzi’s announcement, via a post-match television interview, surprised boss Delio Rossi. “It’s disappointing to hear the news like this because we had mutually agreed to wait until this term had ended,” he said. “Peruzzi is one of the few great Italian players left, he’s won it all and reached every level. At this moment, Angelo is fundamental for the other players in the changing room. But if he’s decided to quit it means he’s had enough.”

Angelo Peruzzi was hardly nudged into Serie A life after being thrown on at the San Siro against Milan

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34 Calcio Italia June 2007
PERUZZI REPLACEMENT

Abbiati

Angelo Peruzzi’s retirement has left Lazio with a transfer dilemma. Antonio Labbate reports on the club’s likely goalkeeping plans

Angelo Peruzzi’s decision to hang up his gloves has left Lazio with a massive hole to fill. Although replacing one of the most gifted ‘keepers Italian football has ever seen was always going to be a problem to be confronted sooner or later, the capital club were hoping for at least one more season from the shot-stopper – especially after their surprise Champions League qualification. Lazio haven’t looked for a new No 1 for seven years now and it will be no easy task to find an adequate man to step into the boots of the stocky net minder. Not only does Peruzzi have an almost unrivalled ability in between the sticks, the former Juventus hero is a key figure in the changing room, a point of reference for the younger elements of a side which has been drastically rebuilt after the overspending of the Sergio Cragnotti era. Although Lazio are still hoping to convince the veteran to take a backwards step, his comments after the Rome derby suggested that he would be saying goodbye at the season’s end. “I made this decision back in January,” he stated. “This is my last Rome derby as I’m going to retire.” Whoever arrives is going to have a massive task ahead of him. Not only will they be defending the Lazio goal, but they will inevitably also be coming up against Peruzzi’s ghost – seeing the massive impact he has made with the Biancocelesti over these years. Finding an alternative to Angelo for Lazio is like asking Juventus to sign a Gigi Buffon replacement – something that may still happen later this summer. Lazio are unlikely to look for an internal solution given that present No 2 Marco Ballotta is into his 40s, while Matteo Sereni is on his way out after hitting further contractual problems with the club. They do have a promising young ‘keeper in the form of Tommaso Berni, formerly of Wimbledon, who was signed for over £1m from Ternana in 2006. However, his inexperience means he will not be thrown into the deep end. That leaves the capital club with a limited number of solutions because of their financial situation and the general lack of quality in the Italian goalkeeping sector right now. Udinese’s Morgan De Sanctis is being heavily tipped. Schooled by Juventus, he’s broken into the Italian national setup over recent years even if his ability to make some astonishing saves is often marred by the odd clanger. Yet a deal could very well be done as he himself has suggested.

“It’s sad to hear that Peruzzi is deciding to retire,” he stated. “I had the good fortune of working alongside him for two seasons at Juventus when I was just 20. I can honestly say that he guided me from a technical and human point of view. I’ve admired his career and his gloves will be very big to fill, but that should act as a great stimulus. I have a contract with Udinese until 2011 and I intend to respect it. But if an agreement was reached between the two clubs then I would have to seriously consider a Lazio offer.”

Whoever arrives is going to have a massive task. Not only will they be defending Lazio’s goal, but also coming up against Peruzzi’s ghost

Other transfer avenues lead to Alex Calderoni of Atalanta and Christian Abbiati. The first has caught the eye over the last few seasons in Bergamo and is advantaged by the fact that boss Delio Rossi knows him well after their time together with the Nerazzurri. However, such a step up in quality may be difficult for the 31-year-old to handle. As for Abbiati, he may be available on a loan deal with an option to buy after his temporary spells in Turin with firstly Juventus and now Torino. He has the CV Lazio would like the look of. Livorno’s Marco Amelia has also thrown his gloves into the ring. Perhaps the closest thing to a ‘new Peruzzi’ in the game, a Lazio move would be smothered in difficulties. Brought up in the Roma youth ranks and then signing for Livorno – a club with diametrically opposed political leanings to some Lazio ultras – a Biancocelesti transfer seems unlikely. But Amelia is failing to rule anything out.

“I’m pleased to hear my name mentioned on Lazio’s list of targets,” said the World Cup winner. “I realise my past will influence public opinion but I think like Peruzzi – there are no players who represent only one side. I am a professional and if Lazio want me then I won’t be able to turn them down.” The two-time Scudetto winners have also been looking abroad. Chelsea’s Carlo Cudicini, once on Lazio’s books back in 1996-97 has already been linked with the position. Meanwhile, Celtic’s Artur Boruc is a man who is liked in Italy. Nevertheless, his asking price and salary, as well as Rossi’s desire to have an Italian custodian, suggests he won’t be ending up at the Olimpico. The only question now remains, who will?

After appearing for both Roma and Lazio, Angelo Peruzzi aptly announced his retirement after April's Derby Capitolino

Amelia

Ballotta

Berni

Boruc

Calderoni

Cudicini

DeSanctis

Sereni

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