Is it do or die time for Sarri when Lazio host Celtic?

Lazio still haven’t found their footing this season and the pressure is continuing to mount on Maurizio Sarri, who may be fighting for his future in the Champions League clash with Celtic.

The Biancocelesti again slumped in a disappointing defeat on the weekend, giving strugglers Salernitana their first victory of the season. The result infuriated president Claudio Lotito, who is now seriously starting to consider the future of the Italian coach.

The result leaves Lazio in the bottom half of the Serie A table in 11^th, having picked up 17 points from five wins and two draws. The six defeats leave the club far off the European spots and supporters are starting to lose faith.

Despite the drama, Sarri does still have time to turn things around in the Italian capital, starting with the coming Champions League clash with Celtic. Lotito is not a fan of dismissing coaches in the middle of the season, so the ship’s course can be corrected before things fully collapse.

In Europe, the Biancocelesti sit second in Group E after four games, sitting one point behind group leaders Atletico Madrid and one ahead of third place Feyenoord. As such, they cannot afford to drop points to their Scottish opponents, increasing the already-high tension at the Stadio Olimpico.

It’s not hard to see why faith has started to wane in Sarri, however, especially when comparing the team’s work to a year ago.

After 13 Serie A outings in the 2022-23 season, Lazio sat third in the table with 27 points, having secured eight wins and three draws. The team had scored 25 goals and conceded just eight, impressing both offensively and defensively.

After 13 games this term, things are entirely different; the Roman outfit sit 11^th after five wins and two draws, scoring just 14 goals and conceding 15, looking toothless in front of goal and uncertain when defending.

Sarri needs to start finding answers, and fast. Qualifying for Europe represents a vital source of revenue for Lazio and it’s clear that failing to achieve that would spell the end of his time in the Italian capital.

In the meantime, reaching the Champions League knockout stages would buy him much-needed time, making the coming clash with Celtic vitally important for both club and coach.

Words: @ApolloHeyes