Lotito upbeat for Lazio
Lazio president Claudio Lotito feels the club can spring a surprise this season.
Lazio president Claudio Lotito feels the club can spring a surprise this season but laments the loss of Jaap Stam.Lotito took over the role in the summer and his arrival has prompted the departure of a string of big-name players.
The likes of Stam, Stefano Fiore and Bernardo Corradi have all been sold in an attempt to balance Lazio's uneven books.
The exit of Dutch defender Stam to Milan is perceived as the toughest loss to swallow for Lotito but he refuses to be downbeat.
Instead, Lotito is looking on the positive side and is hoping the Biancoceleste can pull off the occasional shock during the course of the campaign, after starting the season with a 1-0 success over Sampdoria.
"I've taken this engagement to have a proper season and I'm realistic," Lotito told Corriere dello Sport.
"We are a 'second band' team. The first one is composed of Juve, Inter and Milan. Our team can give surprises, you'll see on the pitch.
"This year Lazio can be the championship's surprise. Just look at what Greece were able to do at Euro 2004.
"In comparison to last year, we had Lopez and now we have Di Canio who certainly has bigger motivation. The really important loss to Lazio is Stam."
