Was Lazio’s 2022/23 season a year of anomalies, foundation buildup, or both? Only time will tell. One thing is certain, however. Give Maurizio Sarri time to build a team and some key additions in the transfer market, and you might just end up with a superb squad that is gelled to perfection. This is what we think is in store for Lazio’s 2023/24 season.
A SOLID, BUMPY SEASON
The Biancocelesti’s 2022/23 season started off as it meant to go on: two wins, two draws and a heavy 5-1 loss to Midtjylland in the Europa League. Going into his second season in charge, Sarri expected a significant step up from the previous mediocre campaign. There’s no hiding from the fact that expectations started to pile on the Italian tactician and his team, but everyone managed to deliver in style.
Despite many rough patches, Lazio finished the Serie A season in second place—the best placement since the 1999/2000 season, during which the Biancocelesti won the Scudetto. Through the likes of Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Felipe Anderson and an inconsistent Ciro Immobile, the Biancocelesti flew high. Pundits showered Sarri and his team in praise following their displays of free-flowing football. Triangle passing, intelligent runs and smart pressing; these were the ingredients with which Lazio concocted a season to remember.
The big downside to Lazio’s season was, as everyone knows it, Sarri’s Achilles heel: European cup football. Sarri’s squad ended up partaking in a historical Europa League group in which all four teams ended on eight points, but it was Lazio to descend to the Conference League on goal difference. The Biancocelesti didn’t particularly excel in this competition. After edging past CFR Cluj, Lazio fell at the hands of AZ Alkmaar, losing 2-1 in both legs.
LACKLUSTRE SIGNINGS… ON PAPER
After offloading superstar Milinkovic-Savic to Saudi Arabia for a hefty €40m fee and netting a combined €6m from Francesco Acerbi and Gonzalo Escalante, Lazio had some work to do in the transfer department. Here’s a list of the Biancocelesti’s new additions thus far:
- Taty Castellanos (€15m)
- Gustav Isaksen (€12m)
- Matteo Cancellieri (€8m)
- Diego Gonzalez (€1m)
- Daichi Kamada (free)
- Nicolo Rovella (loan)
Before writing off Lazio’s additions and labelling them insufficient, especially with the Champions League campaign in mind, we wouldn’t be surprised if most of these signings flourish under Sarri’s wing. Isaksen and Kamada were highly sought after, whereas the rest can grow to become important tools in Sarri’s squad. As the transfer market draws to a close, we can only wait and see if the Biancocelesti will try to sign some last-minute add-ons.
SERIE A PREDICTION
Despite Lazio ranking so high in the Serie A table last season, it is priced 15.00 to do one better this time around and win the league. Sarri’s men will definitely be looking to repeat their UCL qualification, but that might prove to be very difficult with so many demanding competitions in store.
Make sure to visit the LV BET Sports Blog for more information about the upcoming seasons, we are going into detail on the Serie A, Premier League, Champions League and all the major tournaments coming your way.