Roma Still Stronger Than Lazio?

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For every Roma or Lazio fan, there are two matches during the season that are simply more important than any other. Which matches are they? The first and second legs of the Roman derby between the city rivals. Some fans would rather best their Roman cousins than win the league, if there was a choice.

Madness sweeps over the city on derby days and this year will be no different. Every year, these sides have two objectives: to do as well as possible on all fronts and to beat their cross-town rivals. The upper hand has switched between the two in recent times, with Lazio enjoying a dominant period around the turn of the century, but Roma emerging as the primary force in recent years.

With both teams hoping that this will be their year, ex-professionals have given their take on the battle for Rome. Former Sampdoria captain Luca Pellegrini believes that the balance still swings the way of the Giallorossi. He said: “Lazio have renewed the squad with great prospects, but on paper the difference in still great.”

More admiration for Lazio's transfer campaign came from ex-Juve midfielder Domenico Marocchino and former Milan defender Stefano Nava. Marocchino enthused: “Lazio have done fantastic work - evaluating and acquiring great players for a reasonably small amount of money. But the gap between them and Roma still exists.”

Nava also acknowledged the difference in quality between the two clubs, saying: “Lazio is still inferior to Roma, at least on paper, but the coach has done well and they are certainly in line to do better then last year.”

Kind words for the Biancocelesti, then, but it seems that the experts still recognise a gulf in class between the sides. The proof as they say, will be in the pudding. we'll get our first taste this weekend.

Peter Pedroncelli

Official: Menez To Join Roma Tomorrow

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Attacking midfielder Menez is one of the best young talents in France, and he has been compared by some to the legendary Zinedine Zidane.

Over the past week or so, the 21-year-old has been constantly linked with a move to Roma, who have been searching for one more top quality offensive player before the closure of the transfer window on Monday.

France Football claimed this morning that Roma officials met with their Monaco counterparts to thrash out a deal late last night, and that Menez will move to the Italian side for €14m.

Goal.com got their journalists on the case, and managed to contact Menez’ agent Jean-Pierre Bernes by telephone.

"I do not know if Jeremy will be in Rome, I can not say anything about it," Bernes initially replied.

However, when pressed on the matter, he finally admitted that "Yes, we will probably be in Rome tomorrow."

In an interview with Rete Sport, Bernes went even further and admitted openly that Menez would be signing for Roma tomorrow.

"There is an agreement with Monaco and the player,” he confirmed.

“The move will become official tomorrow. Menez is happy. He has also been requested by other major European clubs but I can not disclose who."

News of this imminent transfer is sure to delight Roma fans, who can now content themselves with two big name signings this summer, the other being Real Madrid’s Julio Baptista.

Alessio Alexis

Roma And Monaco Agree Menez Deal

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The Giallorossi have been after the player all summer and he is likely to arrive within the next few days.

France Football reports that Roma officials met with their Monaco counterparts to thrash out a deal late on Tuesday night.

Menez will move to the Italian side for €14m and he is expected to arrive at Trigoria today to undergo a medical. He will sign for the club if he passes the routine tests.

Luciano Spalletti has always stated his penchant for the Monaco star and reports claimed Roma approached Menez after a 0-0 friendly in July.

The Giallorossi have made some heavy investments this summer including the arrival of Julio Baptista from Real Madrid. The Olimpico-based side are working hard to try and close the gap between them and Inter.

An announcement by both clubs is expected this afternoon confirming the deal.

Salvatore Landolina

Siena Admit Interest In Okaka And Esposito

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Gerolin commented on the transfer rumours linking the Tuscan side to Okaka and Esposito, thus confirming the speculations of the past few weeks.

"Yes, both Okaka and Esposito are players who interest Siena a lot," confirmed the director of sports to Laromasiamonoi.it.

"I have daily contacts with Prade, Bruno Conti and Luciano Spalletti, and we have a very good rapport.

"If we can make any deal, it is with Roma with whom we have very good rapports in fact."

A decision is expected in the coming days with regards to these two players.

"The interest is for real," continued Gerolin. "It's normal that during this week the contacts will increase, but it will not be easy, because we know that both Esposito and Okaka are being chased by many teams.

"We shall see what will happen during this week. There is a 50% possibility that one of them joins us."

Glenn Debattista

Peace Between Cicinho & Spalletti

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Cicinho was left out of the squad for the Italian Super Cup on Sunday for disciplinary reasons, after an outburst during a training session last Saturday. He was apparently unhappy at the way the first-team jerseys were distributed. As a result, he was not even on the bench for the Supercoppa defeat to rivals Inter.
The Brazilian wing-back has apologised to his team-mates, explaining that he was dealing with a personal family situation. Now Spalletti and Cicinho seemed to have discussed the matter during today's training session and Cicinho then continued to practice with the rest of his team-mates.
However, some of the Roma squad still appeared to be extremely displeased with Cicinho during training, and it is rumoured that he threatened to leave the club if he did not play against Inter during his outburst on the weekend.
Nonetheless, it appears the Brazilian will still be part of Luciano Spalletti's plans as he has been reintegrated back into the squad after he admitted his mistake in front of the entire team.
Cicinho is now a candidate to start Roma's Serie A opener on Sunday afternoon. The Giallorossi will take on Napoli at the Stadio Olimpico in what many believe will be an exciting match.

Adam Scime