Lucas Biglia

Lucas Biglia

Personal information
Full name	Lucas Rodrigo Biglia
Date of birth	(1986-01-30) 30 January 1986
Place of birth	Mercedes, Argentina
Height	1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)
Playing position	Defensive midfielder
Club information
Current club	Lazio
Number	5
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
2004–2005	Argentinos Juniors	17	(1)
2005–2006	Independiente	49	(0)
2006–2013	Anderlecht	204	(14)
2013–	Lazio	14	(1)
National team‡
2003	Argentina U-17	3	(1)
2005	Argentina U-20	8	(1)
2011–	Argentina	15	(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 16:31, 16 December 2012 (UTC). † Appearances (Goals). ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 22 June 2013

Lucas Rodrigo Biglia (locally: [ˈlukah roˈð̞ɾiɣo ˈβ̞iɣlja]; Italian: [ˈbiʎʎa]; born 30 January 1986)^[1] is an Argentine footballer who currently plays for Lazio and the Argentina national team. His first call-up was to the senior Argentine national football team in 2011, previously playing for the Argentina U-20 national team, at which he won the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship.^[2]

Personal life

Biglia is of Italian descent, and in April 2009, received his Italian passport.^[3]

Club career

Career in Argentina

Biglia started his career at Argentinos Juniors. However, lack of first team appearances led to Biglia leaving the club after only 17 appearances and one goal scored.

In 2005, he moved to Independiente for an undisclosed fee^{[citation needed]}. In the first half of his season at Independiente, he made eleven appearances before becoming a first team player the following season, where he played in every game.

Career in Belgium

Biglia (wearing number five) in a friendly match against Red Bull Salzburg in 2012.

In July 2006, after one and a half-season in Independiente, Biglia signed with Belgian Pro League giants Anderlecht on a four-year contract.^[4] Upon the move, Biglia will take-up number five shirt, which he never switched in his entire Anderlecht career.^[5][6] Biglia had previously had trials with Spanish side Valencia and Villarreal. At Anderlecht, Biglia made consistently good performances in midfield, before becoming the club captain. Biglia's technical playing style is often compared with compatriot Fernando Redondo, who like him held the shirt number 5. Biglia is known for his accurate passing, and for his hard tackles, often resulting in him receiving a yellow card.

In 2006–07 season, Biglia made his debut for the club, coming on for Mark De Man due to apparent injury, as Anderlecht win 4–2 over K. Sint-Truidense on the opening game of the season. At first, Bigila had a difficult start, having been left out for Belgian Supercup, which Anderlecht won for the second time in a row. Team-mate Yves Vanderhaeghe, who also played in midfield and also speak Spanish, feel sympathy for him and able for him to settle down in Belgium. He also made his Champions League debut, as Anderlecht drew 1–1 against French side Lille on Matchday One in Group Stage. Later in the season, Bigila would soon become an important player for the club and later in the season, the club would win the league title in 2006–07 season and at the end of the season, he was award for Young Professional Footballer of the Year.^[7][8] During towards the end of the season, he scored in a penalty spot, as Anderlecht trashed Brussels 6–0, scoring his first league goal. In 2007–08 season, Biglia starts his season by winning the Belgian Supercup for the second time in a row. He made assist for Marcin Wasilewski on the opening game of the season, as Anderlecht beat KV Mechelen 1–0 and on 16 March 2008, he scored his second league goal, from a long distance kick, in a 5–0 win over Roeselare. On 15 December 2007, Biglia signed a contract, that will keep him until 2012.^[9] However, Anderlecht was unsuccessful defend their league title as rival Standard Liège took the title and happened again the 2008–09 season, after Standard won 2–1 on aggregate in the Championship playoff. During the season, Biglia scored two league goals in the season, against Westerlo and Roeselare; and also in Champions League Qualification, he scored his first European goal in a 2–2 draw against BATE Borisov. In the January transfer window, he was linked with European clubs giant, with the like of Barcelona, Inter Milan, Valencia (who just renewed interests), Fenerbahce and Galatasaray. After transfer window closed, he remains at Anderlecht, insisting the club wanting him to stay.

On 17 October 2009, He scored his first league goal of the season, as Anderlecht beat Charleroi. After the match, Biglia says his goal against Charleoi was his greatest goal in his Anderlecht career.^[10] His second goal followed up in the second round of Beker van Belgie, as Anderlecht won 2–0 against Dender EH two months later. Four days later, Biglia suffered an serious injury on a ligament at first,^[11] but managed to recover from injury. In the first Europa League, Biglia scored twice; the first was in round of 32 against Athletic Bilbao and the second one was in the last sixteen against Hamburger but lost 6–5 on aggregate, eliminating Anderlecht from the Europa League. Despite elimination of Europa League, the club would win the league title in 2009–10. During

While 2010–11 season was unsuccessful as the club was unable to defend their title and scored no goal that season. In January transfer window, he was in the transfer speculation when Galatasaray, who just renewed interests signing him, want to sign him for worth about 4.5 million euros, but the move never started, due to Galatasaray lack of fund to sign him.^[12]

In 2011–12 season, Biglia signed a new contract, keeping him until 2015.^[13] After the Copa America, Biglia says he want to leave Anderlecht, in favour of test himself in other leagues.^[14] A month later, Biglia was appointed vice-captain by new manager Ariël Jacobs, with Olivier Deschacht as captain. Soon due to Deschacht injury, Biglia was used as captain ins and out during Deschacht absent before given the role full-time after Deschanct was no longer the captain.^[15] His captaincy was met with disapproval by supporters. By the end of October, he suffered an shoulder injury, where he had an operation^[16] and was out for four months.^[17] He made his return, on 15 January 2012, in a 3–0 win over Club Brugge. During the season, Biglia scored two league goals in the season, against Mons and Sint-Truidense. Later in the season, the club would win the league in 2011–12 season.

In 2012–13 season, Biglia was increasingly linked a move away from Anderlecht, with a like of Arsenal,^[18] Norwich City,^[19] Real Madrid and Inter, all trailing him. But he stayed when the summer transfer window closed. Biglia continued to make impressive start, leading Anderlecht go on top. On 29 September 2012, Biglia provided as double assist in a 3–0 win over Lokeren; his first league goal came on 19 October and set up a goal, as Anderlecht win 2–0 against Beveren and does the same thing (score and assist) in a 2–1 win over Cercle Brugge. In January transfer window, Biglia says he wants to leave Anderlecht in January,^[20] with Southampton want to sign him.^[21] This led Biglia protest in attempt to move leave the club by failing to show up for Anderlecht's training camp, which wasn't appreciated by Anderlecht supporters.^[22] After the transfer window ended, the club announced that Biglia will leave the club in summer, along with Dieumerci Mbokani.^[23] Biglia would tell his version of his absent that he was close in depression, having took medicines and anti-depressants. He also stated he's never wanted to leave the club in the winter transfer window.^[24] Having not played for three games, due to apparent suspension, Biglia made his first appearance, scoring but received a red (for the first time in his Anderlecht's career) as Anderlecht drew 2–2 against Standard on 3 February 2013. On the last game of Jupiler Pro League PlayOff, Biglia scored the equaliser against the title chaser Zulte Waregem and the match ended 1–1, which Anderlecht won the title. If Anderlecht lose, then the title was given to Zulte Waregem and Anderlecht would win the title if they either draw or win.^[25]

Shortly after winning the title, General manager Herman Van Holsbeeck confirmed that Biglia will leave the club. Biglia's final match was met with a lap of honour from the fans.^[26]

Lazio

On 23 July 2013, Italian team Lazio announced that Biglia would be signing a five-year contract for an undisclosed fee.^[27] Biglia spent a few weeks with Lazio, to settle in with the club.^[28]

International career

Youth career

Biglia began his international career, playing for Argentina U-17 and was involved in the squad that won South American Under-17 Football Championship. During the same year, he was also involved in the squad that was third place in FIFA U-17 World Championship. During the U17 World Cup, Biglia scored his first national goal in a semi-final, scoring an opener, in a 3–2 loss against Spain, eliminating Argentina in process.

In 2005, Biglia was soon moved up playing for Argentina U-20, participating in FIFA World Youth Championship.

Senior career

Six years since the last time Biglia played for Argentina, but not in his senior career, due to his performance didn't attract attention from national coach. In February 2011, Biglia played his first Argentina cup in a friendly match against Portugal. During the same year, Biglia was among twenty-six people listed by manager Sergio Batista ahead of Copa América Tournament.

Career statistics

Honours

Club

Anderlecht

• Belgian First Division/Belgian Pro League (4): 2006–07, 2009–10, 2011–12, 2012–13
• Belgian Cup (1): 2007–08
• Belgian Supercup (4): 2006, 2007, 2010, 2012

International

Argentina

• FIFA U-20 World Cup (1): 2005

Individual

• Young Professional Footballer of the Year (1): 2006–07

Personal life

On 20 December 2011, De Standaard reported that Biglia has been married his childhood friend, Cecilia Ambrosio, who has a daughter in a previous relationship. The wedding took place in his homeland, Argentina.^[29]

References

External links

• Lucas Biglia – FIFA competition record
• Lucas Biglia at National-Football-Teams.com

Argentina Squads v t e Argentina squad – 2011 Copa América 1 Carrizo 2 Garay 3 Zabaleta 4 Burdisso 5 Cambiasso 6 G. Milito 7 di María 8 Zanetti 9 Higuaín 10 Messi 11 Tevez 12 Andújar 13 Pareja 14 Mascherano (c) 15 Biglia 16 Agüero 17 Rojo 18 Pastore 19 Banega 20 Gago 21 Lavezzi 22 D. Milito 23 Romero Coach: Batista