S.S. Lazio Close To Signing Lichtsteiner

By: Julien | July 12th, 2008

Mercato365 reports that Stephan Lichtsteiner is close to signing a contract with Lazio. Since the beginning of the Euro 2008, Stephan said he wanted to leave. Other clubs that were interested in the Swiss defender include Real Madrid, Olympique Lyonnais, FC Porto, Atletico Madrid, PSG, and Dynamo Kiev.

Grégory Malicki said that Claude Puel’s departure changes things for him. Puel promised Malicki the number one goalkeeper spot. Rudi Garcia may have other things in mind. Well at least Malicki can find solace in wearing the captain armband during our friendly against Reims. He wore it for half of the match. Then it was given to Yohan Cabaye. My hope is that we find another goalkeeper, because I can’t stand Malicki’s style. He lacks Tony Sylva’s composure and he flops in goal like a fish.

Ben Khalfallah has chosen to prolong his contract with Angers SCO instead of transferring to Lille. Lille’s Peter Franquart also extended his contract, but with Lille to 2012.

Yesterday, Lille played a friendly against Stade de Reims. We won 2-0. The two goals were scored by Michel Bastos. Several players did not play: Maric, Yanes, Plestan, Beria, Tafforeau, Makiese, Obraniak, Lyng and Baseya. Our first half line-up:

Malicki

Debuchy Rami Franquart Emerson

Touré Chedjou (Frau 55e) Dumont Balmont Bastos

Mirallas

An interesting 4-5-1 formation was used. Ideally, I wish we used a 4-3-3 but we don’t have the attacking power to do so. In the second half Garcia moved to the 4-4-2. Many players were substituted so we don’t get a good look at how the formation would really work with our starting eleven:

Oukidja

VanDam Chedjou Benzerga Lebbihi

Frau (77e Youla) Cabaye Mavuba Salibur

Hazard Fauvergue

Rudi Garcia’s post friendly reaction:
“There wasn’t much rhythm during the match, because we were lacking physically. But that is normal after the work week. I noticed several good things with some game phases in the triangle as well as the goals that were scored. We did not suffer defensively, because we were well organized. There are still some areas that need to be improved upon on an individual and collective level.”

Michel Bastos’ reaction to the Reims friendly:
“I prefer to play on the side, but the manager likes versatility. The benefit is that he learned from this match’s line-up. He talked to me beforehand about it and I explained to him that there wouldn’t be any problems for me.” Bastos scored the two goals for Lille during the match.