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Lotito defends summer signings Tuesday 4 September, 2007

Lazio President Claudio Lotito has rejected criticism of the Biancocelesti’s transfer campaign and revealed that he snubbed Antonio Cassano.

The capital club were one of last season’s revelations as they clinched Champions League football, but Delio Rossi’s side have disappointed so far this time around.

After draws against Torino and Sampdoria, there are already suggestions that the Aquile didn’t make the most of the chance to add to their squad and the current injury crisis could have been averted.

Coach Rossi has publicly stated that he had hoped for more new recruits and sporting director Walter Sabatini offered his resignation after a frustrating month culminating in the botched move for Juan Pablo Carrizo.

“We signed nine new players and the squad is complete,” Lotito raged. “The side should only be judged on results and I think that they will come.”

The fiery Lazio patron surprisingly claimed that he could have lured ex-Roma star Cassano over the summer, but opted against approaching Real Madrid.

“We didn’t need a sensational swoop,” he insisted.

“We also could have brought Cassano back to Rome, but we weren’t interested. The squad is calm and relaxed and this Lazio can go far.”

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