Fernandez and stuff.

By: salvatore | September 17th, 2008

Evidently, a perfect 2-0 start is not enough for one Claudio Lotito. Reports today were claiming that the Biancoceleste president was trying to revive the failed summer bid for River Plate midfielder, Augusto Matias Fernandez.

The 22 year-old appeared to be a step away from the team towards the end of the mercato (to the point that he was left out of the River’s plans for this season, and only reintegrated a couple of weeks ago) but similar to former teammate Juan Pablo Carrizo, his arrival was postponed by a problem with passports and working papers. Considering the depth available to the team in the middle of the field (Matuzalem, Dabo, Ledesma, Meghni, Foggia, Brocchi, Mauri and even De Silvestri rumoured to be moved there) it would seem a strange time to bring in another midfielder, particularly with everything gelling nicely, but Fernandez could be a nice January pickup.

For one thing, he’s strong on the ball and fast, which would give the team another quick, Foggia-like weapon off the bench. Unlike Pasquale though, Fernandez is capable of playing every position in the midfield, and not afraid to get involved on the defensive end. Basically, like Kolarov, Brocchi, Mauri, Radu, Pandev, Lichsteiner (and Behrami before him), he’s the type of versatile player that Delio seems to love. Plus, the close friend of Carrizo would be another youthful shot in the arm to the already young collection of players.

The only downside is that he sort of looks like Valon…

Even so, go for it Lotito.

Elsewhere, the team’s trip to San Siro, a stadium that’s been about as welcoming as a punch to the nuts in the last few years, might get a boost from the return of Tommaso Rocchi. Balboa has apparently been training, and by all accounts would have been on the field this Sunday had the team not won both of their games. Since a bit of the pressure is off though, and because the Zarate Kid has been doing what he can to personally double the rate of jersey sales in Rome, the Aquille can take their time with his re-entry, and make sure he’s properly healed.

There’s still a chance Rocchi will be on the field in Milan, but most likely it’ll be another week or so before we get to see the captain play with Mauro and Goran in the tridente delle meraviglie.

Speaking of Pandev, the Macedonian international was asked about facing Milan, and this is what he had to say:

“We aren’t top by chance. We are a young side but a very strong one. I said a month ago that we aren’t scared of anyone and now we are traveling to Milan ready to have a great game. Last year we put in a fantastic performance at San Siro but this year we must win. I think at the moment Milan are just suffering from tiredness and we need to try and take advantage of that because we have a fast side.”

Fuck yeah. AVANTI LAZIO.