Lazio

If there were any doubts about Francesco Acerbi's credentials as one of the nicest men in Italian football, they were dispelled during the Italy national team's visit to a children's hospital in Rome in mid-October.

Members of Roberto Mancini's squad chatted to patients and their parents during the visit and handed out gifts that included tickets for the team's Euro 2020 qualifier against Greece. But when the time came for the squad to leave the Bambino Gesu Paediatric Hospital and return to the team hotel, Acerbi stayed behind.

The hospital's press officer, Alessandro Iapino, revealed on Twitter that when Acerbi was told the team bus was getting ready to leave, the Lazio defender replied: "I don't care, they can go. I'll take a taxi. But until I finish the tour, I'm not leaving."

As a two-time survivor of testicular cancer, Acerbi is more at home on a hospital ward than most people.

He was first diagnosed with the illness while undergoing a medical examination after signing for Sassuolo in the summer of 2013, aged 25. After undergoing surgery to have a tumour removed, he returned to action with his new team, only for a drugs test failure in December 2013 to reveal irregular hormone levels that turned out to be symptoms of the cancer's return.

The centre-back underwent chemotherapy between January and March 2014 before returning to first-team action with Sassuolo at the end of October that same year, having continued to train with his team-mates throughout his treatment. The determination and good humour that he exhibited during his convalescence turned him into an icon for Sassuolo's supporters and won him admirers across the country.

"He was very brave and an example for people who have the same disease. He was a 'lion', as he likes to call himself," says Luca Bizzarri, a sports photographer and Sassuolo fan who got to know Acerbi during the defender's five-year spell at the club.

"It was sudden news. No one expected it. The disease kept him far from the squad for a long time, but when he returned he got a great welcome from the fans."

When Bologna coach Sinisa Mihajlovic revealed that he had been diagnosed with an acute form of leukaemia in July, Acerbi responded with an Instagram post in which he urged the former Lazio centre-back to "be brave" and fight the illness "head on."

Acerbi has spoken candidly about the psychological consequences of his own illness, saying in a recent interview with La Reppublica (h/t Football Italia) that although he is no longer "scared" by the thought of the cancer returning, it is a world that "you never leave." He remains attentive to his mental health and holds weekly video calls with a psychoanalyst based in Modena, continuing a routine that began during his time at Sassuolo.

In his interview with La Repubblica, Acerbi also opened up about his difficult six-month spell at AC Milan in 2012, during which he fell into depression over the death of his father and turned to alcohol to numb the pain.

"After my father died, when I was playing for Milan, I hit rock bottom," he said. "It was as if I'd forgotten how to play, or why I was playing. I started drinking and, believe me, I'd drink anything. It might seem like a terrible paradox, but the cancer saved me. I had something new to fight against, a limit to overcome. It was as if I got to start life all over again and saw the world in a way I'd completely forgotten."

Even accounting for the rigidly stratified loyalties of Italian club football, Acerbi's openness has earned him universal admiration.

"It's quite unusual to get players of that elite level opening up and talking about their issues while they're still playing," says Alasdair Mackenzie, a Rome-based sports journalist.

"It's even more unusual in Italy, and for a Lazio player, because of the control the clubs like to have around their players on what they're saying in public. I don't think he really cares about that stuff anymore. I think he wants to get his story out there to try and inspire people."

The Italy team's visit to a children's hospital was so important to two-time cancer survivor @Acerbi_Fra that he was willing to miss the team bus 💙 pic.twitter.com/xSe0lonN58

— B/R Football (@brfootball) October 12, 2019

Despite the grave nature of his previous health problems, Acerbi is renowned for being a joker, using his Instagram account to document the pranks he pulls on his Lazio team-mates and to make jokes at his own expense. Bizzarri describes him as a "sunny," "open" and "very popular" person who always found time to speak to supporters.

If Acerbi's return to top-level football after his cancer diagnoses was a remarkable achievement, what followed stretched the bounds of credulity even further. Between October 2015 and January 2019, he made 149 consecutive appearances in all competitions (remaining on the pitch for every minute of every game) and would have broken Javier Zanetti's all-time Italian record of 162 successive matches had it not been for a contentious red card that he received during Lazio's 2-1 defeat at Napoli at the start of this year. In 2017, he played more minutes in Serie A than any other outfield player.

Of course, Acerbi would not have been selected with such regularity by a succession of coaches at two different clubs if he was not a very talented footballer. He was signed by Lazio in July 2018 to plug the hole created by Stefan de Vrij's departure to Inter Milan, and it says everything about Acerbi's impact that, as vital a cog as De Vrij was during his four seasons in Rome, the Biancocelesti have actually become a more defensively robust side since the Dutch international left.

A tall, physically imposing centre-back, Acerbi built his reputation upon a solid defensive approach on the ground and in the air, but as the central defender in Lazio coach Simone Inzaghi's preferred 3-5-2 formation, his leadership qualities and ball-playing ability have also come to the fore. Typically aligned alongside Romanian veteran Stefan Radu and Brazilian youngster Luiz Felipe, Acerbi has started every league game this season and has marshalled a back line that has been breached on only 16 occasions—a statistic bettered only by leaders Inter (14).

National team coach Mancini turned to Acerbi for September's games against Armenia and Finland when Giorgio Chiellini succumbed to a serious knee injury, and the 31-year-old played his part in helping Italy rubber-stamp qualification for Euro 2020, notably scoring his first international goal—a striker's turn and finish with his weaker right foot—in a 3-0 win away to Bosnia-Herzegovina in November.

With characteristic self-deprecation, Acerbi played down the importance of his role in Italy's success, emphasising his position as a mere understudy to the absent Chiellini and declaring that the squad were waiting "with open arms" for the Juventus stalwart to return. But for all the romance that inevitably clings to his story, it is the cold, hard currencies of form and consistency that have earned him his place at the heart of the Azzurri defence.

"The narrative around him is dominated by the two-time cancer survivor story, because it's a very good one and very emotive, but he's doing what he's doing on merit," says Mackenzie.

"He's stepping in for Chiellini because he is the best Italian defender at the moment. And he's been absolutely integral to Lazio challenging at the top of Serie A ever since he arrived. He gets a lot of support for his backstory, but he backs it up on the pitch as well."

Lazio's 2-1 win away to Cagliari on Monday extended their winning run to eight Serie A games and left them only three points behind leaders Inter and second-place Juventus. With an unexpected title challenge and a potential first major tournament experience with Italy on the horizon in 2020, Acerbi has plenty to look forward to.

Lazio President Claudio Lotito has hinted that reported Manchester United target Sergej Milinkovic-Savic could seal a transfer soon, saying he won't get in the way of a player's aspirations. 

Speaking to Leggo, Lotito outlined his ambitions for the club, stating it's important to keep players satisfied  (h/t Football Italia):

"I've created a family vibe here. If someone posed me a problem over career satisfaction, I'm ready to satisfy them.

"The objective is to become one of those clubs who are a point of reference in Europe, and there are 12 of them today.

"Still, it's normal for a top player to have aspirations of wanting to play for a great club. We still haven't got to that stage, but should a player come to me like a son then I'd find it unfair to deprive them of such an opportunity.

"Furthermore, if you want to maintain a harmonious atmosphere, you must try to please your players."

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Football Italia), the two clubs have already agreed a fee, and the Serb's agent is in Manchester to negotiate terms.

The fee for Milinkovic-Savic will reportedly consist of €75 million up front, plus €5 million in bonuses that are easy to achieve and an additional €10 million for tougher bonuses. 

Milinkovic-Savic's arrival could potentially open the door for the departure of Paul Pogba, who expressed a desire to leave the club earlier this summer.

Like Pogba, Milinkovic-Savic is coming off a somewhat disappointing season, but that hasn't depressed his value, according to sports writer David Amoyal:

Despite coming off disappointing seasons, it will take an offer of at least €80 million to get Juve & Lazio’s attentions for Dybala & Milinkovic Savic respectively- look for PSG & Man United as potential destinations for them

— David Amoyal (@DavidAmoyal) July 24, 2019

The 24-year-old scored five Serie A goals last season but had 12 in the 2017-18 campaign. He stands out for his versatility, scoring potential, vision and soft feet, while he's also good in the air at 6'2". 

United have yet to make a big splash in the summer market, signing 21-year-old talents Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Daniel James but not pulling the trigger on a big name from Europe.

Milinkovic-Savic could be that star fans have been hoping for, adding talent to a midfield unit that needs it. Any resulting Pogba exit should bring in a nice transfer fee as well, opening the door for more arrivals.

Lazio won the 2019 Coppa Italia after beating Atalanta 2-0 at the Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday.

Goals from substitute Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Joaquin Correa proved enough for manager Simone Inzaghi's players to earn victory on the pitch they share with capital-city rivals AS Roma.

Big players show up on big occasions 👊

Lucas Leiva with the corner, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic with a THUMPING header!

Lazio lead in the Coppa Italia final and just look at the scenes in the Stadio Olimpico 😮 pic.twitter.com/FCTtEMpMev

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 15, 2019

Joaquin Correa, a one-man counter-attack, has just secured the Coppa Italia for Lazio 🦅

Pandemonium in Rome. pic.twitter.com/ysKOQ0wSUT

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 15, 2019

The win also means Lazio have claimed the trophy for a seventh time after a final in which physical and resolute defending stifled Atalanta's free-flowing football.

Lazio weren't afraid to subject Atalanta to some rough treatment. The latter have been an enterprising side this season but struggled to get on track amid a flurry of heavy challenges.

Of all those left with a mark of two, artful wide player Josip Ilicic was subjected to the most brutal fare. He was felled by several opposition players, as Lazio appeared to be taking turns to nullify the 31-year-old's considerable threat.

Senad Lulic was among the Lazio players to be shown a yellow card as one of the more relentless of Ilicic's pursuers. Tempers began to flare as the match descended into scrappy exchanges all over the pitch, particularly at the heart of midfield.

If this first half in the #CoppaItalia final is anything to go by. @OfficialSSLazio and @Atalanta_BC with finish with 10 men each, both teams will be shattered after 60 minutes and it will end up at a penalty shoot out, where everyone will be too tired to take them. pic.twitter.com/sJlGakQ3cu

— Richard Hall (@RichHall80) May 15, 2019

Someone is definitely getting sent off if this continues in the Coppa Italia final. Nerves are getting to both Lazio and Atalanta.

— Mina Rzouki (@Minarzouki) May 15, 2019

Even with their best player shackled, Atalanta went closest to scoring during a dour first half. Skipper Alejandro Gomez hit the post, Ilicic saw his follow-up effort blocked and then Duvan Zapata sliced wide from close range.

It was a rare moment of goalmouth action during what was a turgid half.

Atalanta 0-0 Lazio HT: It's goalless at the break in the Coppa Italia final and Atalanta are the only side to have had an attempt on target https://t.co/ZRLUW7iwrW pic.twitter.com/cGtsl083UE

— WhoScored (@WhoScored) May 15, 2019

Atalanta remained the most forward-thinking of the two teams after the restart. Gomez clipped the woodwork again, while raiding right-back Timothy Castagne drew a solid save from Lazio goalkeeper Thomas Stakosha.

Despite being under increasing pressure, Inzaghi's men kept their shape well and didn't hesitate to break up play with some cynical challenges. It wasn't the most sporting plan, nor the most aesthetic performance, but the intent was clear as Lazio waited to make the most of rare opportunities.

The moment came when Milinkovic-Savic emerged from the bench to replace Spanish schemer Luis Alberto. He's endured a campaign disrupted by injury, but Milinkovic-Savic was strong enough to rise highest and meet a corner from former Liverpool man Lucas Leiva eight minutes from time.

He hasn't been at his best this season, but the Serbia international midfield powerhouse has always been a force in the air.

Massively underrated part of Sergej Milinkovic-Savic’s game is his size at set pieces. Atalanta didn’t change their marking & he’s made them pay. Superb header

— Adam Digby (@Adz77) May 15, 2019

Milinkovic-Savic has also made a habit of punishing Atalanta:

4 - Sergej Milinkovic-Savic has scored four goals against Atalanta, his best victim for Lazio (all competitions). Focus. #TimCup #AtalantaLazio

— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) May 15, 2019

The goal tightened Lazio's grip on the cup and their stranglehold on open play. They were now able to sit deep, invite a desperate Atalanta side forward and strike on the break.

Having committed too many men forward for a corner, Atalanta were left short when Correa chased down a long punt out of the box, before ending a sensational solo run with a thumping finish. 

A 2-0 scoreline was harsh on Atalanta, but Lazio's pragmatic approach had paid off. Immobile, Milinkovic-Savic, Correa and the rest were just a little more streetwise than Gian Piero Gasperini's entertainers.

   

What's Next?

Atalanta return to league action on Sunday, 19 May for a tricky trip to face champions Juventus in Turin, while Lazio host Bologna the next day.