Lazio bring Cruz to Beijing
Friday 31 July, 2009
Julio Cruz is in the Lazio squad travelling to Beijing for the Italian Super Cup against old club Inter, but ‘dissidents’ including Goran Pandev are out.
It is surprising to read Cruz’s name in the squad list released by the Biancocelesti for the August 8 game, as he is not yet officially one of their players.
Nonetheless, Il Jardinero will be travelling to China with his new teammates and make his official debut against his former club.
Cruz is out of contract after his deal with Inter expired and has been considering offers from the likes of Roma and Napoli, but has chosen Lazio.
If he is in the side, then the same cannot be said of the three ‘dissidents’ in the Aquile – Pandev, Lorenzo De Silvestri and Cristian Ledesma.
This trio have all requested a transfer, but so far have not been able to find a club willing to meet the price-tag.
Pandev had begged to be given the chance to take part in the Italian Super Cup, but is left behind by Coach Davide Ballardini.
The Super Cup is between Scudetto winners Inter and Coppa Italia victors Lazio, but is taking place at the Olympic Birds’ Nest stadium in Beijing this year.
Lazio squad: Muslera, Bizzarri; Cribari, Diakitè, Kolarov, Lichtsteiner, Radu, Scaloni, Siviglia; Baronio, Brocchi, Dabo, Foggia, Matuzalem, Mauri, Meghni, Eliseu; Del Nero, Inzaghi, Rocchi, Cruz, Zarate