There was plenty of grounds for optimism at Lazio during the summer as the new season dawned. Although they finished in a lowly 7th place in the 2012/13 campaign, they ended it with a trophy as they triumphed over local rivals, Roma, in the Coppa Italia final - achieving Europa League qualification along with it. It was a very respectable debut season from the previously unheralded Vladimir Petkovic. The Bosnian coach was expected to get some backing in the transfer market but off-field problems hounded the club. President Claudio Lotito did open the purse strings in the summer but the arrivals were less than inspiring. This was reflected on the pitch and the tone for the season ahead was set before a league game had been played as Lazio were thumped by Juventus in the Italian Super Cup. The Biancocelesti remained terribly inconsistent throughout the first half of the season and couldn't buy a win away from home. Petkovic seemed far less motivated in his second season. He accepted the job as the next national team coach of Switzerland which didn't sit well with the Lazio board and he was soon sacked. It was a case of going back to what they knew as Edy Reja returned to the club having been replaced by Petkovic last season. Reja did manage to steady the ship and went unbeaten in his first few games in charge. However, the off-field drama continued to overshadow the capital club as the supporters were extremely unhappy about the sale of Hernanes to direct rivals Inter Milan. There were protests from the Ultras who wanted Lotito to resign and there was a constant frosty atmosphere at Stadio Olimpico for home games. Whilst they couldn't win away in the first half of the campaign, their home form greatly suffered in the second half including an embarrassing defeat by Bulgarian minnows, Ludogorets, who eliminated them from the Europa League over two legs. Lazio remained in contention for Europea qualification through the league until the final couple of weeks of the season where they fell away again to end a poor campaign. Nevertheless, there were a few shining lights. Antonio Candreva was by far and away their player of the season as he chipped in with a very healthy number of goals from the wing to counter the lengthy absences of Lazio's only real goalscorer, Miroslav Klose. Keita Balde Diao emerged as one of the most exciting young talents in Serie A and indeed Europe with some scintillating displays. However, the fact remains that this squad is far too thin in terms of quality to be guaranteed Europa League qualification next season let alone the ultimate aspiration of Champions League football.
