Football Season Guide

Life under coach Sarri did not begin as well as Lazio hoped for, as last season they only managed to achieve a 5th-place finish and a qualification to the Europa League. While they were a proper scoring machine, holding the second-best Serie A attack with 77 goals, the Eagles held the 10th-best defence only, with 58 goals conceded. Consistency was their main problem, especially in the first half of the campaign, when they often under-performed on the road. Things improved through the season but not enough for them to make the top 4. Over the summer, they started a process of change, beginning from the goal, where both starting Strakosha and back-up Reina were let go. 23-year-old promising Maximiano arrived from Granada and he should represent an improvement between the sticks. However, they also need to sign a back-up. Then, starting centre-back Luiz Felipe was also released while Acerbi, once the supporters’ darling, is now persona non grata and could depart too. Experienced Romagnoli arrived after a lifetime at Milan while 24-year-old Casale was loaned in after impressing at Hellas Verona. Gila, coming from Real Madrid cantera, should represent an alternative to them. With Leiva gone, Marcos Antonio should become a key player in the middle of the park while Vecino, who played for Sarri at Empoli, is a solid back-up. Inconsistent-but-beloved Luis Alberto (36 goals and 50 assists in 174 games) is considering a move elsewhere: his departure would leave a hole as Basic does not look an adequate replacement yet. Another youngster arrived from Hellas, 20-year-old Cancellieri should become a future protagonist on the wings, while giving some rest to an aging Pedro. Lazio are still on the hunt for a left winger, a creative attacking midfielder and a back-up striker, as Immobile is not getting any younger.