Football Season Guide

Lazio

In


Matteo Cancellieri (att)(Hellas Verona, loan made permanent); Diego González (att)(Celaya, loan made permanent); Jean-Daniel Akpa Akpro (mid)(Empoli, end of loan); Daichi Kamada (mid)(free agent); Gustav Isaksen (att)(FC Midtjylland); Taty Castellanos (att)(New York City FC);

Out


Francesco Acerbi (def)(Inter, loan made permanent); Gonzalo Escalante (mid)(Cadiz CF, loan made permanent); Luka Romero (sp)(att)(released); Stefan Radu (def)(retired); Riza Durmisi (def)(released); Sergej Milinković-Savić (k)(mid)(Al-Hilal); Luca Pellegrini (sp)(def)(Juventus, end of loan); Raúl Moro (att)(Real Valladolid, on loan);

Last season Lazio obtained their best result in over 20 years, that is since winning their second Scudetto in 1999/2000. In fact, they surprisingly ended up runners up, despite never really being in contention for the title. Continuity and a solid defence, they held the league’s second best defence with only 30 goals conceded, were certainly their secrets while, strangely enough for a Maurizio Sarri team, they were not particularly effective offensively, with just 60 goals scored. The transfer campaign did not look a particularly active one for the Eagles until they found themselves losing midfield star Milinković-Savić, who was lured away from Saudi Arabian money. This was certainly a huge loss for them, especially considering that Sarri hoped to be fighting for the title this time around. Kamada, who signed on a free, is the only midfielder they signed so far and so would logically be expected to replace the Serbian, who was often decisive with goals and assists, although their characteristics are quite different. Then, they hired a hugely missed back-up for Immobile, who had his worst season since 2016 with only 12 goals scored, in Castellanos, who did quite well at his debut in European football at Girona. Sarri complained openly for the lack of further new arrivals and so Isaksen arrived from Midtjylland: the 22-year-old should become an alternative for the wings, also considering that Pedro is not getting any younger. Lazio are still on the hunt for a back-up for Provedel in goal, since Maximiano was a huge disappointment, while they are also short in terms of full-backs and Pellegrini could be re-signed from Juventus. The midfield could also need further strengthening as Luis Alberto might at last quit too.

Target


Lazio will be fighting for a top 7 finish: the Scudetto seems out of reach.