With the end of the summer transfer window, Football Italia previews the 2021-22 Serie A campaign and what to expect from Lazio. Words Apollo Heyes.
The Biancocelesti seem to have an exciting season ahead as they managed to keep all their stars except Joaquin Correa and picked one of the top coaches in Europe, Maurizio Sarri, to begin the post-Inzaghi era.
LAZIO TRANSFERS IN
Kamenovic (D, Cukaricki), Hysaj (D, Napoli), Felipe Anderson (S, West Ham), Pedro (S, Roma), Romero (M, Mallorca), Basic (M,Bordeaux), Zaccagni (M, Verona)
LAZIO TRANSFERS OUT
Minala (M, out of contract), Lulic (M, out of contract), Parolo (M, out of contract), Hoedt (D, Southampton), Pereira (M, Manchester United), Armini (D, Piacenza), Correa (S, Inter), Musaccchio (D, out of contract), D. Anderson (M, Cosenza), Caicedo (S, Genoa), Fares (M, Genoa), Casasola (D, Frosinone), Cicirelli (M, Frosinone)
PROBABLE XI
WHAT TO EXPECT
The Biancocelesti will be looking to earn a top-four finish despite massive competition from the ‘seven sisters’ of Italy’s top flight. Lazio, under Maurizio Sarri, play in a fast-paced attacking style, with many one-touch passes as the team build-up from the defence. Luis Alberto and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic are the two main creative forces in the squad, helping make decisive incisions in the final third to set up one of the three forwards.
Defensively, the Biancocelesti press high and work to close down passing lanes, laying on constant pressure. Whilst effective, this style can also leave the team open to counter-attacks. As with any Sarri team, this first season will show flashes of his Sarrismo brilliance and simple mistakes that may prove costly.
COACH – MAURIZIO SARRI
Sarri has returned to Rome with something to prove. His season at Juventus was deemed disappointing, despite winning the Bianconeri’s ninth league title in a row. The campaign prior with Chelsea also saw the former banker lose the fans’ support, with many calling for him to be sacked. Even with these difficulties, Sarri still managed to win the Europa League with the West London club.
With Lazio, the 62-year-old Italian coach wants to display his famous brand of Sarrismo once again, a style that won over many during his time with Napoli. Those years in the Campania capital saw Sarri oversee Gonzalo Higuain’s record matching 36-goal season, as well as the most serious title challenges that Juventus had faced in years. Both Sarri and the Lazio fans will be hoping that he can repeat these feats again, or maybe even better.
CAPTAIN – CIRO IMMOBILE
Ciro Immobile is a player who needs no introduction to Italian football fans. The 31-year-old was part of the Azzurri squad that won Euro 2020 this summer and is the star of the Biancocelesti squad, having scored 154 goals in his five years with the club. Contracted to Lazio until 2025,
Immobile is a talismanic figure in the Roman squad and has already gotten off to a flying start this season, scoring in the opening game against Empoli before netting a first-half hattrick against Spezia last week. Considering Higuain’s scoring rate under Sarri at Napoli, Immobile is set to impress again this season and will be looking for his fourth Capocannoniere title.
PLAYER TO WATCH – SERGEJ MILINKOVIC-SAVIC
The 26-year-old Serbian midfielder has been one of the most important players in the Lazio squad over the last few years and this doesn’t seem set to change under Sarri. Milinkovic-Savic’s creativity, accurate passing and tactical intelligence make him perfect for the 62-year-old Italian coach’s system and he’s already started to shine under the former banker.
Under contract with Lazio until June 2024, the 26-year-old had a relatively quiet summer without many transfer rumours involving him. He could work without the pressure of media and under a new coach and is start to the season proves he can again play a vital role for the Bian