The winter of despair? Or the spring of hope?

By: salvatore | February 19th, 2008

What a difference a win (and at least one dodgy penalty) makes.

Tommaso Rocchi...running from the fans

Consider if you will, that just a week ago the team was looking more and more like they were going to be fighting for Serie A survival. Reports of contract negotiations with Rocchi and Pandev seemed mostly negative and pessimistic, and oh yeah, they lost to Empoli in a performance that almost matched Merda for listless play against a Tuscan minnow.

Then, there was the little matter of a meeting between coach Big Daddy Rossi, Tommaso Rocchi and a large group of (entirely non-threatening) fans. What were these tifosi demanding exactly? Basically, “To never, ever play like you did against Empoli.” (Oh, and they also wanted Delio to drop Cristian Ledesma, who has been about as spirited lately as an empty water bottle. Bless them for trying.)

Things, to say the least, seemed pretty bleak (and for a team that faced Real Madrid with Nonno Ballota in nets, that really means something). But then came Atalanta, a 3-0 win, and an upcoming match against a Cagliari team so dysfunctional, even their president wants to quit. Somehow, everything seems just a little better.

Want some proof? Well for one thing, the Biancoceleste might actually be able to line up some wins in the coming weeks before the March 2nd revenge match with Milan. But more importantly, the never-ending Rocchi contract saga might finally be coming to an end.

Numerous sources reported an hour-long meeting today between Oscar Damiani, the player’s agent, and Claudio Lotito (vattene). More cock-teasing and frustration you say? Apparently not, as Damiani, who unsurprisingly is an agent with a last name similar to one of Satan’s monikers, is now claiming that a signature is just a step away. Provided, of course, that Lotito (vattene) can stop talking about stadiums, and why Cassano wouldn’t have worked at Lazio (as if it needed an explanation).

Anyway, the Rocchi contract is being reported as something of a “for life” deal, with Tommaso signing on until 2012 (at roughly 1.3 million Euro a year) and then moving into some sort of vague managing position. I’d say let’s hope it involves replacing Lotito, but who could wait until 2012 for that to happen?

In the meantime, a piece in ll Messaggero has thrown the Venetian’s name in as a possible veteran presence on Casiraghi’s Olympic team. No word yet on if they’ve had a meeting with the Laziale faithful for permission.

Rocchi's reaction to Il Mesaggero's Olympic idea.