Last season’s runners-up finish might have been a fluke as problems pile up for Lazio at the start of the 2023/24 Serie A campaign. After an underwhelming 2-1 defeat at Lecce on matchday one, Maurizio Sarri’s side succumbed to a dreadful 1-0 home loss to newly-promoted Genoa on Sunday.
Mateo Retegui opened his Serie A account with what proved to be a winning goal at the Stadio Olimpico to inspire Alberto Gilardino’s team to a massive victory. Genoa’s marquee summer signing nodded home from point-blank in the 16th minute to topple a more heavily fancied Lazio.
Despite enjoying 70% possession and attempting as many as 16 shots on goal, albeit just two on target, Lazio couldn’t find the net in front of a frustrated home crowd. Sergej Milinkovic-Savic’s exit has seemingly deprived Sarri’s side of that much-needed cutting edge.
Biancocelesti have looked toothless in both league matches without their former talismanic midfielder. With all due respect to Daichi Kamada, his showing tonight came nowhere near the Serbian playmaker’s high standard. But it’s up to Sarri to decide how he wants to continue.
Meanwhile, following a thumping 4-1 home defeat to Fiorentina on their top-flight return, Genoa showed promising defensive signs in the capital. Gilardino’s men fought tooth and nail to protect a narrow lead. While another uninspiring display from Lazio aided their cause, it takes nothing away from the visitors’ spirited performance.
With an ominous-looking trip to Napoli coming next for Lazio, Sarri’s men could be staring down the barrel of a three-game losing start to the season. As for Genoa, they head to out-of-sorts Torino next weekend, hoping to build on tonight’s unexpected success.
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