We conclude our Serie A 2023/24 season preview series with our Lazio season preview. We have been previewing the top six clubs in Italy ahead of the new campaign and have already examined Napoli, Inter, Juventus, Milan and Roma.
Lazio had an excellent Serie A campaign last term as they finished in second but will they able to replicate their success with the distraction of Champions League football? Check out our Lazio season preview below where we take a look at: a 2022/23 season recap, pre-season form, transfers, opening fixtures, predicted line-up, one to watch and season target. Here’s our Lazio season preview!
Lazio Season Preview
2022/23 Season Recap
Lazio will make their return to the Champions League group stage this season for the first time since 2020/21 after finishing in second place last term under Maurizio Sarri. That was their highest finish in Serie A since they won the Scudetto in 2000 under Sven-Göran Eriksson.
Performances outside of the league were disappointing, nevertheless. The Biancocelesti were knocked out of the Coppa Italia at the quarter-final stage after losing 1-0 away to Juventus and they failed to progress out of their Europa League group. That saw them enter the Conference League but they had an underwhelming showing there too, being knocked out by AZ Alkmaar at the round of 16.
Pre-season Form:
Primorje (N) W 5-0 (Goals: Pedro, Ciro Immobile, Felipe Anderson, Mattia Zaccagni, Diego Gonzalez)
Bravo (N) W 2-0 (Goals: Ciro Immobile x2)
Aston Villa (N) L 3-0
Girona (A) L 2-1 (Goals: Taty Castellanos)
Latina (N) W 9-0 (Goals: Ciro Immobile x3, Felipe Anderson, Mattia Zaccagni, Daichi Kamada, Gustav Isaksen, Taty Castellanos)
Transfers In:
Taty Castellanos (centre-forward) New York City; Gustav Isaksen (right winger) FC Midtjylland; Matteo Cancellieri (right winger) Hellas Verona; Diego Gonzalez (left winger) Celaya; Daichi Kamada (attacking midfield) Eintracht Frankfurt; Nicoló Rovella (centre-midfield) Juventus (loan); Jean-Daniel Akpa Akpro (centre-midfield) Empoli (end of loan); Dimitrije Kamenovic (left-back) Sparta Prague (end of loan); Jony (left winger) Sporting Gijon (end of loan); Nicolo Armini (centre-back) Potenza (end of loan); Cristiano Lombardi (right winger) Triestina (end of loan)
Transfers Out:
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (centre-midfield) Al-Hilal; Francesco Acerbi (centre-back) Inter; Gonzalo Escalante (centre-midfield) Cadiz; Luka Romero (right winger) Milan; Emanuele Cicerelli (left winger) Reggina; Luis Maximiano (goalkeeper) Almeria; Matteo Cancellieri (right winger) Empoli (loan); Raul Moro (left winger) Real Valladolid (loan); Andrea Marino (centre-midfield) Foggia (loan); Stefan Radu (left-back) Retired; Riza Durmisi (left-back) Released
Summary of Transfers
After years of speculation surrounding the departure of Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, the Serbia international has finally left the club as he joins Al-Hilal. He is the major departure this summer. Veteran defender Francesco Acerbi has also completed his permanent move to Inter after an initial loan, whilst Lazio legend Stefan Radu has retired.
In terms of incomings, Lazio have finally bolstered their attacking options with the signing of Taty Castellanos from New York City. They finally have a backup for Ciro Immobile, who is now 33-years-old, and dealt with injury issues last term. Daichi Kamada looks to be a shrewd signing since he has joined on a free from Eintracht Frankfurt. The Japan international managed to score nine Bundesliga goals last term.
The Biancocelesti have also added Gustav Isaksen from Midtjylland to add more options in the forward line. Loan acquisition Nicoló Rovella will add strength in depth as he looks to continue his development following a loan spell at Monza last term, whilst Luca Pellegrini looks set for a return to Stadio Olimpico this summer as well.
Opening Five 2023/24 Serie A Fixtures
Lecce (A)
Genoa (H)
Napoli (A)
Juventus (A)
Monza (H)
Lazio have a tricky start to the new season and have three away matches inside their opening five games. That includes facing current Serie A champions Napoli at the Diego Maradona Stadium, as well as Juventus in the match after. Despite losing 3-0 in Turin last term, Lazio did pick up a 1-0 triumph in Naples which will give them confidence. The Biancocelesti will be expected to pick up wins over Lecce, Monza and newly-promoted Genoa. However, they failed to defeat Lecce at all last term.
Predicted Line-up:
(4-3-3): Ivan Provedel; Manuel Lazzari, Nicoló Casale, Alessio Romagnoli, Adam Marusic; Daichi Kamada, Danilo Cataldi, Luis Alberto; Felipe Anderson, Ciro Immobile, Mattia Zaccagni
Ivan Provedel will be the number one choice in goal for Lazio after his fine campaign last term. However, Hugo Lloris is linked with a move to the club. A back four of Manuel Lazzari, Nicoló Casale, Alessio Romagnoli and Adam Marusic is set for the time being. Elseid Hysaj is another candidate to start at full-back but he has been injured of late. Central defender Patric will provide a depth option.
There are number of midfield options for Lazio this season but a trio of Kamada, Danilo Cataldi and Luis Alberto looks the strongest. Matias Vecino and Nicoló Rovella will also be good options. Toma Basic and Marcos Antonio will be the depth choices.
Up top, Ciro Immobile will be the starter but Castellanos looks to be a very solid second choice. Felipe Anderson and Mattia Zaccagni will likely start on the wings but Pedro and Gustav Isaksen are solid backups.
One to Watch
Daichi Kamada
Kamada will look to make up for some of the creativity and bite in the midfield lost by the departure of Milinkovic-Savic, albeit it will be tough to make up for the Serbian. Still, Kamada has proven to be a fantastic player at the highest level for both Frankfurt and Japan and he could prove to be a very tidy signing.
Season Target
With Champions League football this season to focus on, it could prove difficult for Lazio to emulate last season’s success in Serie A. Nevertheless, they still have the foundations of the squad from last term and have added some solid signings over the window. They will be hoping for consecutive top-four finishes.