Top 11 2000s

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In the summer of 2000 Lazio were on top of the world. The Biancocelesti had just won a treble (scudetto, Coppa Italia and UEFA Super Cup) and were undoubtedly one of the best teams in Europe. But from then it all changed as President Sergio Cragnotti ran into financial difficulties and the club basically had to start from zero under the new ownership of Claudio Lotito.

Hence there were two Lazio’s: the one that came third, won a Coppa Italia and reached a Champions League qualification, and the one with less money which however still won a Coppa Italia and a Supercoppa. As a consequence, for our top 11 for the first decade of this century we will have two different teams.

Early 2000's

Angelo Peruzzi is considered one of the greatest Italian keepers of all time. He was powerful and athletic with explosive reactivity but at the same time agile, despite his sturdy physique. Born in Blera (Viterbo), not far from Rome, on February 15, 1970 he joined Lazio in 2000 and stayed for seven years totalling 226 appearances. At Lazio he was well loved, as a local lad, for his technical ability and not least for his affable, kind and down to earth character. He is the only player to feature in both teams.

If Nesta was the best in the world, a very close number two was Jaap Stam. Together with Mihajlovic and Couto, he terrorised opponents with his sheer size. Strong, powerful, fast, tough he had all the qualities a defensive player needed. Loved by the fans, feared by opponents, his defence partners really enjoyed themselves. In a match against Ancona, Pietro Parente had the brilliant idea of trying to kick Stam after a tackle. The Dutchman got up and grabbed him by the throat. In the footage one can see the look of fear on the opponent  player's face. He arrived in 2001 and stayed three years making 94 appearances with four goals and winning a Coppa Italia. Roberto Mancini often used him as a right-back, despite the fact Stam was a central defender. This was because he wanted to use his power and strength. It was a good move as Stam was a fundamental piece of Mancini’s team.

Alessandro Nesta was an incredible player, one of the best defenders in the history of football. He was nicknamed "La Tempesta Perfetta" (The Perfect Storm) as he was such a complete player. He was physically strong (1.87 for 80 kilos), athletic and fast. He had a great sense of position and was an impressive man-to-man marker, often using his anticipation skills to dispossess opponents, that failing he had his speed to fall back on. He was a superb tackler, specializing in the old sliding tackle, just like Pino Wilson. He could block the opposition but was also able to play from the back as a defensive playmaker. Combined with all these attributes he was elegant, a joy to watch. At Lazio he made a total of 261 appearances (3 goals) and was captain for 4 seasons, he won: 1 Scudetto, the Coppa Italia twice, the Italian Supercoppa twice, 1 UEFA Cup winners Cup and 1 UEFA Super Cup. A legend.

Fernando Couto arrived because in 1998 Ivan de La Peña specifically requested that his best friend come to Lazio too. De la Peña stayed one year, Couto seven. He was tough, made no friends with the opponents. Ruthless, mean, a splendid defender with excellent aerial abilities. At times he was not a regular, but he was always first choice if somebody was injured, even in midfield. He made 217 appearances with 12 goals.

Giuseppe Favalli is second in Lazio history for number of appearances behind Stefan Radu. He was a left full-back although he could also play in the middle. He was 1.81 for 73 kilos. He was an extremely intelligent player tactically, possessed good technical skills and was athletic. He was a defender but gave a good contribution up front serving assists and crosses with his precise left foot. He was a hard but clean player. At Lazio, after the initial scepticism, he became a legend. He gradually won over the fans with his reliable, solid performances. Favalli was captain for three seasons and won 8 trophies in Rome, including an elusive Scudetto, definitely legendary material. 401 appearances and six goals in 12 years.

Stefano Fiore was part of that great generation of Italian players who dominated the 1990s and 2000s such as Nesta, Alessandro Del Piero and Fabio Cannavaro. He was fundamentally an attacking midfielder that Mancini placed on the right wing and he had all the characteristics to excel. Good vision, good shot, acrobatic qualities, good assist man ans he could certainly dribble. He was one of the protagonists of the Mancini team that reached a Champions League qualification and won a Coppa Italia.

Fabio Liverani was a splendid play maker. With a physique more like Jan Molby than Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, and not being very quick, his ability with the ball was however exceptional. He was not fast but he made up for the lack of mobility with his vision, passing, and fantastic skills. He was part of that extremely high potential team that despite not bringing home the goods in Campionato, managed to win the Coppa Italia in 2004. He was also a key member of the team once all the star players had left in the early Lotito years and his memorable pass in the January 6 2005 derby led Paolo Di Canio to score against Roma at that same end 16 years after his memorable goal of 1989. In his last year with Lazio he helped the Biancocelesti reach the UEFA Cup qualification (which then never materialised due to the Calciopoli scandal).

We left Diego Simeone out of the top 11 1990s due to the fact that he only played one year and we wanted to put Matias Almeyda in. But we could noway leave him out of the 2000 team. Simeone was a solid, tenacious, hard-working midfielder, a complete player, who could defend and attack. He was dynamic, mobile and able in both winning possession and starting attacking moves. He was usually used as a central midfielder in a box-to-box role. He was good in the air and had well timed runs into the opponent's area accounting for his high scoring rate. He definitely possessed leadership qualities. He was a perfect mix of strength, stamina, technique and fighting spirit. He once described his style as "holding a knife between his teeth".

Pavel Nedved was one of the greatest players ever to have worn the Lazio jersey. A fighter who played mainly on the left side from midfield up, but he could use both feet indifferently. Under Eriksson he became one of the best midfield players in Europe. He had speed, power, vision, everything you could ask for. He played 208 games for Lazio with 51 goals.

Claudio López was an incredibly fast left-winger, very talented, who knew how to play. He had one major flaw: he did everything with his left foot, the right one was used only for walking. When he ran down the left wing, he left a burned trace behind him he was that fast. Exceptional with the ball and with a great great shot, when he arrived at Lazio people started to dream. But he suffered from a serious injury almost immediately and when he returned he probably was not as good as he had been prior to the injury. But however, he could be devastating. A Beppe Signori and Ruben Sosa in one player.

Cragnotti after the scudetto wanted to give Lazio a big name as centre forward. He first sought Gabriel Batistuta but Fiorentina asked for way too much money for a player of his age and also tried to get Vieri back but he preferred to stay in Milan. The next on the list was Hernan Crespo. He spent an enormous amount of money for him, also sacrificing Sergio Conceição and Matias Almeyda. Crespo was potentially one of the best forwards Lazio had ever had but he never completely fulfilled his potential. He scored 48 goals in 73 appearances, but also missed a lot of chances particularly when he was out of form. He could have been lethal, but was not. He however was still one the best centre-forwards ever for Lazio, though we are left with a feeling he could have done a lot better.

Bench

Luca Marchegiani is the Lazio goalkeeper with the most appearances in their history: 338. He is also the most successful, having won a scudetto, the Coppa Italia twice, the Italian Supercoppa twice, a UEFA Cup Winners Cup and a UEFA Super Cup. Born in Ancona on February 22 1966, he arrived at Lazio in 1993 and lived through what we can call the golden age. In his first seven years of Lazio he was one of the best goalkeepers in Italy. He would save everything that could be stopped. He did not have the explosiveness and power of Angelo Peruzzi who could even save the impossible, but if it was within human reach, Marchegiani got there. He did make the occasional mistake and there were always a couple of blunders each year, but “Il Conte” (The Count as he was called), was reliable. After the Lazio scudetto, President Sergio Cragnotti had the opportunity of signing Peruzzi and Marchegiani became Lazio’s second keeper. Peruzzi was prone to injury so Lazio needed a goalkeeper that could step up and be an excellent replacement which he was for three seasons.

Sinisa Mihajlovic arrived in 1998, a precise request from Sven-Goran Eriksson who had invented him as a central defender with Sampdoria. He was strong, had a great sense of position and was able to read the game like no other. What he lacked in defensive abilities, he made up for by being a playmaker who built Lazio’s game from the back. And he was brilliant and prolific on set pieces and also providing assists in great quantity. He was immensely popular with fans rising to their feet every time he took a corner. He stayed six seasons with 193 appearances and 33 goals.

Giuliano Giannichedda was a central defensive midfielder. He is 1.79 and 77 kilos. He was a classic ball winning player. A non-stop dynamo tackling anything that moved. He was extremely hardworking and versatile. At Lazio he had four good seasons. He arrived at the end of the Cragnotti glory days but managed to win a trophy (CI 2004). He was a popular player for his work rate, always putting in a good shift.

César started out as left-back in Brazil but once he came to Italy, he lacked the defensive qualities needed in Serie A and was moved to midfield. That position was ideal for him. Great crosser, he was part of the Mancini team that crushed all opposition and won the Coppa Italia in 2004. Cesar appeared in 119 games for the Biancocelesti and scored 18 goals.

Due to financial issues that marred the last years of the Cragnotti presidency, after two seasons Crespo was replaced by Bernardo Corradi. He was an excellent centre forward. His time at Lazio was probably the highlight of his career and his best level of football. Very dangerous on headers, he often missed easy chances with his feet, but a cross in the box was always a good idea when one had Corradi in the team. He did not score that much – 22 in 82 appearances – but opened up space for others. His goal in the Coppa Italia final against Juventus was fundamental and iconic. The last silverware of the Cragnotti era (even if Sergio was no longer president).

Late 2000's 

Peruzzi obviously has to be the keeper also for the Lotito years.

Massimo Oddo is probably one of the best right backs Lazio have ever had. He was good at defending, excellent crosser of the ball, great at free kicks and lethal on penalties. Oddo was one of the few Lazio players to become World Champion while still wearing the Biancoceleste jersey.

Sebastiano Siviglia was one of those signings made in one day in the final moments of the 2004-05 transfer session. He was good at man to man marking and was quick over short distances. At 1.82 he was good in the air and most of his goals came from headers. He played 183 games for Lazio and scored 10 goals. He won a Coppa Italia and an Italian Supercoppa at Lazio.

One of his partners was Emilson Cribari. At 1.87 and 79 kilos he was a strong defender and good in the air. His preference was to play in a three-man defence but he could also play on the left or right. He was quick for his height and an excellent man-to-man marker. The Lazio fans will also not forget him playing the Champions League preliminary with a protective mask due to a broken nose nor the fact that he played the return game without, against the doctor's orders.

Aleksandar Kolarov was a great left back with a fantastic left foot. He was very powerful and could be lethal on free kicks, very similar to Mihajlovic. Slight problem, later in his career he joined Roma. He however must be considered one of the best left backs of the Lotito era.

Valon Behrami was a good and extremely versatile player. At 1.86 for 76 kilos he was a born sportsman. He started his career as a winger but later adapted to central midfielder and full back. He was, especially at Lazio and in his early career, exceptionally athletic and dynamic. In his years at Lazio he looked as if he could run all day and also as if he enjoyed it. A natural athlete with medium level skill, always in demand in modern football. Behrami had a varied career and had the intelligence to adapt his position and way of playing to his age and injury problems. He will obviously always be remembered for his epic 92nd minute derby winner and his sprint under the Curva Nord gesturing "Testa e Cuore" (Head and Heart), two things Behrami possessed in abundance.

Cristian Ledesma was a fundamental piece of the Rossi team culminating in the Coppa Italia win against Sampdoria in 2009. He was also the captain and together with Rocchi lifted the cup. He was part of the historic team that won the Coppa Italia against Roma in 2013. In the final he suffered an injury and had to be substituted. During the celebrations he hobbled towards Curva Nord to celebrate, helped by historic team manager Maurizio Manzini. A great midfield player, a-la Lucas Leiva, he had vision, leadership, could offer great assists and had a powerful shot, as Roma experienced on Sunday December 10, 2006 in the 44th minute of the derby. He played 318 games for Lazio with 14 goals in nine years.

Massimo Mutarelli was an important player for manager Delio Rossi giving balance to the midfield. Consistent, hardworking, he played 63 games for the Biancocelesti scoring 5 goals. He scored his first goal in a derby so it was extra special. In his first year Lazio qualified for the Champions League and he made a great contribution. Unfortunately, after two years he fell out with Rossi and was put out of the team but he is remembered fondly by Lazio fans.

Stefano Mauri was an attacking midfielder. He was versatile, had good feet, vision and at 1.84 metres was strong in the air. He had excellent positioning and found the net frequently. He scored a derby winning goal and many of his acrobatic gems such as the bicycle kick against Napoli will never be forgotten by Lazio fans. He is the one who lifted the Coppa Italia as captain in the unforgettable May 26 victory over Roma. In ten and a half seasons he played 303 games with 47 goals.

Tommaso Rocchi was one of those players signed at the last minute once Claudio Lotito became president. And what a signing. He would go on to score 105 goals in 293 appearances, win the Coppa Italia twice and the Supercoppa. With Goran Pandev he made up a formidable attacking duo which characterised Lazio from 2004 to 2009. Like Salas, he was not particularly tall but was good at headers, was fast and skilful. He also had a great right foot.

Pandev played for Lazio from 2004 to 2009 and was one of the most interesting players in the early years of Claudio Lotito’s presidency. With Rocchi they were one of the best scoring duos in Serie A. He reached double figures for four consecutive years showing a constant improvement. He was fast, had excellent dribbling skills and a great left foot. Alas, his controversial departure from Lazio has made him one of the most hated former players, the tifosi have booed him ever since he left. His skills however cannot be forgotten. He made 191 appearances with 64 goals.

Bench

Marco Ballotta is the highlander of Italian football. He signed with Lazio in 1997 as backup for Luca Marchegiani. He did not play much but he was fundamental in a couple of decisive matches, most notably the game in Turin against Juventus in 2000. Lazio were six points behind Juve and needed a win to give them scudetto possibilities. The Biancocelesti won thanks to a Diego Simeone header and thanks to Ballotta’s great saves. He left after the scudetto but came back in 2005, supposedly to be third keeper but he played relatively often. He set two records: the oldest player ever to play a Serie A game at 44 years old and 38 days (against Genoa on May 11, 2008) as well as the oldest player ever to play a Champion’s League game at 43 years of age and 252 days (against Real Madrid on December 11, 2007). An ideal keeper for the bench.

Guglielmo Stendardo at 1.90 metres tall he was good in the air and most of his 20 career goals came from headers. He was not a technical player and was not particularly quick but what he lacked in those two areas he made up for in tenacity and hard work. With little natural talent you don't play 363 games without dedication, discipline and a strong desire to compete. Stendardo was a classic, rugged, strong defender who didn't make life easy for the opposing attackers.

Stephan Lichtsteiner established himself as a good right back, not exactly the best crosser of the ball, but a reliable player. The fans called him Forrest Gump because he never stopped running. He later improved considerably when he left for Juventus, but we can consider him to be a valid alternative to Oddo. He played a total of 117 games for Lazio, 100 in Serie A with 3 goals, 9 in Coppa Italia, 7 in Europa League and one Super Coppa final.

Gaby Mudingayi could easily have been in our top eleven since he too was part of the very good midfield with Behrami, Ledesma, Mutarelli and Mauri. A great player, with good defensive skills, tactically very intelligent who often broke the opponent’s play and re-launched the counter attack. He was very unlucky and suffered a number of injuries which limited his playing time. He was a much-loved player by the Lazio fans who still remember him fondly to this day. He made 83 appearances with one goal in three years between 2005 and 2008.

Mauro Zárate was an extremely skilful player. He was versatile and could play in various forward roles and even behind the strikers. He possessed exceptional dribbling abilities (which he sometimes abused) and could shoot with both feet. With his talent he could have done more with his career. At Lazio, at one point he looked outstanding. In his first year especially, it seemed he was or could become one of the best players in Europe. But poor career decisions undermined his talent. We however decided to place him on the bench in our top 11 for the late 2000s.