Football Season Guide

Only 1 year after achieving their best result since the second Scudetto, they had finished second, Lazio had a disappointing season, only managing to qualify for Europa League football. If a book can be told by the cover, Lazio start to the campaign made it clear that they would have been struggling. In fact, they had won just 2 out of the initial 7 fixtures and they leaked like a sieve. There were moments, like at the turn of the year, when things looked improving but it was never meant to be and in the end they parted ways with coach Maurizio Sarri. In came Igor Tudor, who led them to the 7th place, being undefeated in the final 7 fixtures, but he was also let go after asking for a squad overhaul. Thus, Lazio eventually signed 61-year-old Marco Baroni, who did wonders at Hellas Verona last season but is at his first experience in a top team, as the new coach. This was not an easy summer for Lazio supporters as they saw some of their favourite stars leaving. First and foremost, the idol Immobile, 207 goals and 54 assists in 8 years, quit for Turkey while the Wizard Luis Alberto, 47 goals and 65 assists also in 8 years, was at last given the chance to quit after spending the last couple of campaigns at odds with the club. With Immobile gone, Castellanos will now be their starting striker, but they are still in need of a back-up, unless winger Noslin also acts as false nine, as he did under Baroni at Hellas Verona. On the other hand, Dele-Bashiru, on loan from Hatayspor, could remind of a Luis Alberto without experience. Last but not least, starting winger Felipe Anderson decided to go back to his country, in Brasil. He should be replaced by Tchaouna, who made himself a name despite Salernitana disastrous season. Elsewhere, left-back Nuno Tavares should solve the issues they had on the flank while Castrovilli is a bit of a gamble. Lazio are still in need of a playmaker.