Ex-Lazio President Sergio Cragnotti has laid into mis-firing striker Djibril Cisse and intimated that Lazio are over-reliant on strike-partner Miroslav
Ex-Lazio President Sergio Cragnotti has laid into mis-firing striker Djibril Cisse and intimated that Lazio are over-reliant on strike-partner Miroslav Klose.
Speaking to Radio Mana Mana Sport 24, Cragnotti, who was in charge of the Aquile for over a decade and heavily financed the 2000 Scudetto-winning team, did not hold back in his assessment of his former club’s current strike-force.
French forward Cisse received most of his criticism, having not scored a goal in his last 20 appearances for the Biancocelesti in all competitions. The former Liverpool man has been linked with a January switch to old club Auxerre.
“Cisse can return to where he came from. He was a major a player and we have seen the wonderful things he can do, but he is inconsistent and his age is advancing.
“He says that his ‘gypsy’ career [Cisse has played for six teams in seven years] was so as to play all over Europe, I would say that he cannot be relied on to drive a team.”
Whilst more positive on teammate Klose’s impact, the outspoken Cragnotti still found room to criticise current President Claudio Lotito’s work to complement the German in the squad.
“No-one anticipated a start to the season that would be this positive, Klose has become the player that decides games.
“Certainly it is not a good thing to depend so much on one player. We can say that for improvisation they have come up with a cake to fill the hole. We’ll wait to see how it ends.”
Cragnotti also took time to advise Lotito on where the squad needs improving in the January transfer window.
“I think this team needs reinforcing in midfield, particularly in light of the injury to [Cristian] Brocchi, he is a unique player.
“It is true that Andre Dias has been poor in defence but I think he will be back after the holidays. So I would not make any movements in defence.
“In the event that the club will continue with Cisse and the other attackers in the squad, then the effort has to go into midfield. This is the priority, this area decides all matches.”