Rossi's focus unaffected by Italian scandal

Delio Rossi, the coach of Serie A club Lazio, refuses to even contemplate the prospect of his team being deprived of the chance to take part in the UEFA Cup and, worse still, suffer demotion to the Serie B if they fail to prove their innocence in an on-going match-fixing trial.

Taking part in a question-and-answer session with the local media at the Westin Dragonara Resort yesterday, the refreshingly outspoken Rossi did not hold back from fielding queries about the scandal that has rocked Italian football to its foundations.

"As far as Lazio are concerned, I haven't even entertained the thought that the club might be relegated to Serie B or denied the opportunity to compete in the UEFA Cup," Rossi, currently enjoying a short stay on the islands as guest of the Lazio Supporters' Club Malta, stressed.

"I firmly believe that Lazio must play in Europe because we've earned that qualification on the field of play."

Lazio, Juventus, Milan and Fiorentina are the four top clubs facing charges in the biggest sports trial in Italian history.

"The current situation involves clubs, delegates, federation officials and referees. As coach, I am not in a position to express a judgment on the case and it's not my responsibility to do so. I also think it's premature to make a proper evaluation of the whole issue before there is a clear verdict," Rossi added.

"Personally, I feel bad about all that has happened and I'm sorry for the fans. Unfortunately, the public tends to generalise in such cases and the prevailing perception is that the entire Italian football environment is corrupt.

"Sentences will be meted out at the end of the proceedings but if I were in the position of those embroiled in this scandal, I would be more preoccupied about the moral connotations of their actions."

During the briefing, Rossi expounded on a wide range of topics, from the unique pressures of coaching a Rome-based club, the key factors behind Lazio's commendable sixth-place finish in last season's Serie A championship to Italy's performance in the World Cup up to last night's quarter-final match against Ukraine.

"I have been coaching in Italy for the past 16 years," Rossi, 46, said.

"Wherever I worked, I always remained faithful to a set of principles and that was also the case when I took up the coaching post at Lazio.

"My belief is that a person who carries out his duties with the utmost seriousness and dedication can do his job with serenity.

"After a few days as Lazio coach, I immediately realised that being in charge of one of the big clubs in Rome has a special feel to it.

"There is the history, the tradition, the prestige of coaching in the capital city of Italy and the expectation of the fans. The responsibilities are certainly bigger when you are coach of Lazio," Rossi explained.

With the rivalry between Lazio and Roma bordering on hatred, Rossi admitted that derby matches can make or break a season for the two Rome clubs.

"Derby encounters in Rome mean so much to the fans that it's like having a mini-league within the Serie A," Rossi said.

"Results in derby matches, be it in the league or cup, carry a huge weight in the eyes of the supporters to the extent that most measure the success of their club against their record in derbies."

Pinpointing commitment and hard work as the chief reasons behind Lazio's successful season, Rossi voiced his satisfaction that three of his players went to the World Cup.

"I'm satisfied that Massimo Oddo, Angelo Peruzzi and Valon Behrami (Switzerland) were called to their respective national squads for the World Cup," Rossi said.

"Forming part of the national squad at a World Cup is definitely a highlight in a player's career."

Transfer market

As is always the case before the start of a new season, speculation about potential moves in the transfer market abounds at this time of the year.

Out-of-contract midfielder Fabio Liverani has already signed for Fiorentina while wing-back Oddo is believed to be a transfer target for a host of Serie A clubs.

"Lazio is an important club," Rossi remarked, "but if a player is unhappy, we will not keep him against his wishes. However, the club must receive adequate compensation to sign a replacement.

"That said, I think Oddo will stay with Lazio next season."

With financial stability uppermost on Lazio's agenda, the Rome club no longer afford to chase big-name players in the transfer shake-up.

Rossi, who has another year left on his contract, said Lazio were looking to bring in three to four additions to the squad.

Stephen Makinwa, the 22-year-old Nigerian forward who played for Palermo last season, is admired by Rossi but he maintained that their immediate objective is to tie up a deal with Udinese for Stefano Mauri and Emilson Cribari after both left a good impression during their loan spell with Lazio.

Diverting his focus to Italy's performance in the World Cup up to their quarter-final tie with Ukraine last night, Rossi said: "Italy haven't been scintillating but they have progressed to the quarter-finals. Their performances have not lived up to expectations but they have had positive results."

Rossi, who singled out Chelsea's Jose Mourinho as the coach he admires most, also offered a frank assessment on the Serie A league.

"The Serie A is not the most beautiful league in the world but it is surely the most difficult," Rossi said. "The tactical aspect has more significance in Italy because most of the Serie A teams deploy different strategies.

"It's not like in England where the majority of the teams in the Premier League play 4-4-2."

Also present for yesterday's news conference were Lazio Supporters' Club officials Edward Psaila and Dr Stephen Zammit.