Although Società Sportiva Lazio is based in Rome, Italy, its followers spread to all corners of the globe. It is for this reason that Laziali Worldwide was created. Through online interviews prepared and conducted by The Laziali, supporters of the Italian Serie A football club worldwide will not only be able to share their stories but also be able to connect with other fans of La Prima Squadra della Capitale. Below, The Laziali’s complete interview with Angelo Forestieri from Italy.
Background
What is your name?
Angelo Forestieri.
Which city and country are you from?
I was born in Sora, Frosinone, but have lived in Toronto, Canada since 1956.
How long have you been a Lazio supporter?
All of my life.
How did you become a Lazio supporter?
I was a fan of the colours and the symbol of the club from a young age. I listened to Rai Radio 1’s Tutto il calcio minuto per minuto to follow the club, in addition to reading magazines and newspapers. When I moved to Canada, I did the same thing until the matches were available on TV. Every time I went back to Italy since 1957, I made sure to always visit the Stadio Olimpico to watch Lazio play.
Based on your understanding, how would you describe the size of the Lazio fanbase in your location?
A smaller but passionate group.
Does your locality have a Lazio club where fans can gather to view matches? If so, do you participate? If not, would you be interested in establishing one?
Near Toronto, in Woodbridge, there is a Lazio club named S.S. Lazio Toronto; they watch all the Lazio matches at the Ciociaro Social Club.
Favourites
Who is your current favourite Lazio player? Why?
Ciro Immobile because he is the best striker in Serie A; maybe even all of Europe.
Who is your all-time favourite Lazio player? Why?
Giorgio Chinaglia because he won the Capocannoniere award twice and a Scudetto with Lazio.
Do you have a favourite Lazio memory? If so, what is the memory?
Going to see Lazio play at the Stadio Olimpico in 1999 in a friendly match against River Plate.
Do you have a favourite Lazio match? If so, which match and why?
All of Lazio’s Derby della Capitale victories, but especially the 2013 Coppa Italia Final.
Do you have a favourite Lazio jersey? If so, which jersey and why?
Yes, the one with the eagle on it that was used in the 1982/83 season.
Which one of Lazio’s 16 trophies is your favourite? Why?
The Scudetto that Lazio won under Tommaso Maestrelli in 1974.
Opinion
In your opinion, which player has been the ‘biggest disappointment’ in Lazio’s history? Why?
Pavel Nedvěd; I really liked him and he was an extraordinary player, but the way he left Lazio was extremely disappointing…
In your opinion, which player has been the best ‘surprise signing’ in Lazio’s history? Why?
Miroslav Klose because he signed for Lazio at a time where they needed someone to make a difference, and he brought it. He had a top mentality and he was a very good goalscorer.
In your opinion, which player has been the ‘best signing’ in Lazio’s history? Why?
Diego Simeone, Juan Sebastián Verón, Christian Vieri, Marcelo Salas, Alessandro Nesta, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Ciro Immobile – the list goes on and on…
Which current Lazio player do you feel is the most valuable to the team? Why?
Francesco Acerbi because he is the best defender that Lazio currently has. Without him playing, we are extremely vulnerable.
If you had to choose between one or the other, would you keep Luis Alberto or Sergej Milinkovic-Savic? Why?
Milinkovic-Savic, because although Luis Alberto had one or to good years, the Serbian is younger and has more to offer; Simone Inzaghi’s tactics are all around him.
Should Simone Inzaghi leave Lazio, who would you next like to see managing the club next?
Diego Simeone or Siniša Mihajlović because they were both amazing players for Lazio and are also great managers now.
Are there any players that you specifically want Lazio to sign? If so, which players and why?
Giovanni Simeone, Federico Chiesa, and Andrea Belotti for the attack; Juan Musso as a back-up goalkeeper; Alessio Romagnoli for the backline.
What position do you think that Lazio needs to reinforce the most ahead of the 2020/21 season? Why?
The left flank; Lazio needs to find and sign Senad Lulic and Stefan Radu’s heir.
Final Words
Is there anything else that you would like to add regarding your experience with Lazio?
I would like to see Lazio represented more internationally; specifically in English, as we look likely to play in the UEFA Champions League next season.
With regards to players in the current Lazio squad, I think that they should sell Jony, Jordan Lukaku, Riza Durmisi, Valon Berisha, Adam Marusic, Felipe Caicedo, and Wallace; it is time to move on from average players and sign well-known players to have a very good all-around team. In addition, I would like to see Marco Parolo retire, Danilo Cataldi get more playing time, and Lazio give more opportunities to players in their Primavera.
Personally, I did not think that Simone Inzaghi would have done as good of a job that he has with Lazio, but I am thankful that the team plays for him and understands his tactics.
