Iacopo La Rocca

[mack]

Iacopo La Rocca

Date Of Birth: 02/18/1984
Nation: Italy
Birthplace: Rome, Italy
Squad Number: 18
Position: Defensive Midfield
Secondary Positions: Central Defender

Joined Wanderers: 09/12/2012
Contract Details: 1 year initial contract. Signed 2 year extension on 8th February 2013.
Contract Finish: 2014/15
Previous Club: Grasshopper
Wanderers Debut: 10th November 2012 vs Newcastle Jets

Wanderers A-League Appearances: 58
Wanderers A-League Goals: 6

Wanderers ACL Appearances: 18
Wanderers ACL Goals: 1

Wanderers FFA Cup Appearances: 1
Wanderers FFA Cup Goals: 0

Wanderers Club World Cup Appearances: 1
Wanderers Club World Cup Goals: 1

Wanderers Total Appearances: 78
Wanderers Total Goals: 8

Yearly Appearances & Goals: 2012/13: 20 (3), 2013/14: 27 (2), 2014/15: 31 (3)

International Team: Italy
International Caps: 0
International Goals: 0

Club Exit Date: 05/16/2015

Individual Awards: Joe Marston Medal Winner (Grand Final 2013/14)

Team Honours: A-League Premiership Winner (2012/13), Asian Champions League Winner (2014).

Highlight: Scored his first goal for the Wanderers against Perth Glory, Round 7, Season 2012/13 on 18/11/2012.
Highlight: Received a record suspension for a Western Sydney Wanderers player, after his 4 match ban for elbowing a Sydney FC player in the 3rd Sydney Derby.
Highlight: Received the Joe Marston Medal as a joint winner with Thomas Broich, for being best on the field in the 2013/14 A-League Grand Final.

Description: Iacopoo La Rocca is an Italian Defensive Midfielder who spent several years in Switzerland before moving to Australia. He has the ability to play in Midfield and Defence and was rotated in an out of those positions as required.

View full record

[Pup55]

no love for La Rocca ?

 

just signed a 2 year extension with the club.

 

it's probably a bit unfair for him, but he is the PERFECT bench utility who can play any of the back 4 positions, and do a capable job as a DM as well.

[MCHammer]

Do we have the extra foreign player for next season? If not looks like Shinji or Dino out...

[DeeDee]

I believe we have the concession for our first 2 seasons, so yeh 6 foriegners.

 

Although i like La Rocca. Perfect squad member, and if he can improve we will be all the better for it. But very odd decision sign him up for the next 2 years. 1 max for me. May come back to bite us after next season when were down to 5 foriegners.

[Erai]

yes! He can play all four defensive positions, he can play defensive mid, and he's also played a few games in attacking mid (not for us), so utility player is an understatement. 

[blurbel]

HIs management did a great job at managing to get a 2yr extension deal!

 

Under-rated player for us, great to see that we've got him for at least the next season

[West13]

Solid signing... solid player.

 

I think this could be the end for Dino with all other visa spots filled for next year and just one left. Depends on what they can find i guess.

[9edward]

Awesome resigning!!. We haven't seen Iacopo play his best yet. Quality player.

[Erebus]

We have the extra foreign spots for 2 seasons, and iirc we actually are allowed 2 extra spots, whereas we've only really used 1 of the extra spots.

[zola]

Don't rate him above a squad player. Often a liability in defence, inferior to Poljak as a sweeping midfielder.

[mack]

So that's the first of the players signed up for the 3rd season where we drop back to 5 foreign spots. Odd move. Not the one I'd make. Perhaps Popa knows he can't keep Poljak from moving on to higher leagues or back to Europe for the 3rd season, so he's locking La Rocca in to ensure he keeps a player who has done well for the club.

[Tigers]

http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/wswanderersfc/news-display/La-Rocca-Commits-To-Wanderers-For-The-Long-Haul/60268

 

Popa had some kind words for La Rocca so it seems he really likes him

>>>>>

Popovic said La Rocca brought a lot to the squad with his ball distribution, defence and versatility.

 

“Iacopo is very good on the ball and his distribution is a real asset of his and we feel that he can help us move forward in the near term and the long term,†Popovic said.

“He is a quality player and a quality person and we feel that he will only get better and better.â€

 

He is the first player to secure a two-year extension.

 

“Iacopo is a very good age for a central midfield defensive player and he should be coming into his own physically and mentally and we feel it is the right decision to give him two more years with us,†Popovic said.

“He is very comfortable on the ball and he reads the game very well.

"Once he gets his fitness up I think we will see the qualities he possesses on a more regular basis and we feel that there is a lot of improvement left in him.â€

<<<<<

 

only Popa knows exactly why he wanted to re-sign him for 2 years, but yeah it does seem a bit odd that this far out from the 3rd season that he will be the first of the 5 visa spots.

however Popa does like tall central defenders and in 2 years Beauchamp will be 33 and Topor could move on to a higher league, who knows.

[Harvey]

Great news. Not really surprised by him getting a 2 year extension.

[WSWJuve]

Very smart move. He is a utility player that can plug gaps in both defence and midfield, good teams always have plays like this to do a job when needed. Underrated player anyway, tidy on the ball and intelligent.

[Pup55]

Thought it was fantastic last night.

 

Few sliced clearances, but overall he did a fantastic job stepping in for the skipper

[Pup55]

*he

[GD07]

He's a bit like shannon cole, but for the middle of the field rather than the flanks,

[stewballs]

IMO He is miles better than Cole. Not sure if your comparing talent or squad versatility. I think you mean the latter.

 

Im a bif fan of La Rocca. Is a bit loose in tight marking when playing 3 or 4 but exactly the right aage and will get better.

 

Also i recckon that overseas visa players are pretty safe bet as if they are not playing they tend to leave.

[FIonnWang]

Which team does this man support? ROMA OR LAZIO?

I like Wanderers and AS Roma

[JamCal]

His youth side was Lazio, said on the big screen today. 

[HungHuynh]

And his interview when he signed another season, the question about ADP, 'do you support Juve, he said "NO! I support Lazio, but support ADP when he plays for national side. "

[FIonnWang]

His youth side was Lazio, said on the big screen today. 

THX

[FIonnWang]

And his interview when he signed another season, the question about ADP, 'do you support Juve, he said "NO! I support Lazio, but support ADP when he plays for national side. "

That's a mart answer. Because ADP won't play for Italy national team anymore.

[WSWJuve]

Daje Lazio.

 

A Roma Solo La Lazio

[wswfc]

How good was his goal tonight. Brilliant first touch to control the ball, then bends it into the top corner. Pure class.  

[Jukes01]

La Rocca had an awesome game. His goal was the icing on the cake. Set up Bridge with a great ball as well.

[Shogun]

That goal was amazing, great control and beautiful finish.

[9edward]

Awesome resigning!!. We haven't seen Iacopo play his best yet. Quality player.

This guy is a genius

[FootballRelic]

Great game today and a top quality goal, well done Mr La Rocca.

[WSWJuve]

Most underrated player on the team.

Fantastic touch and brilliant finish. Even got an assist too. Some lovely little passes and solid tackles in midfield. 

Daje Iacopo!!