Stefano Pioli took charge of Lazio this summer following the departure of Edy Reja, after the 48-year-old had been dismissed by Bologna the season prior. Yet his reputation remains untarnished and, in fact, very much with his prospects of success still intact.
Pioli turned Bologna around after taking charge in 2011 when the club were in relegation trouble. His arrival and leadership led the club to a ninth place finish. The following season Bologna finished in a respectable 13th after tailing off towards the end of the season. But austerity measures and the loss of key personnel significantly hindered his chances of any further success. Bologna, in the end, dispatched Pioli.
Then came a new challenge, brimming with allure and potential, in the capital. Lazio are pleased to have him on board as well. Pioli is a coach that seems to get the best out of his players and has proven himself very competent with limited resources. With the new Lazio challenge presenting considerably greater resources and options, it will be intriguing to see how he fares.
This summer, proof of Lazio’s greater financial muscle came in the form of several new faces. Pioli will be tasked with knitting this new squad together into a cohesive outfit, as Lazio look to ascend up the Serie A table and fulfill grander aspirations.
Highly-rated, young Dutch defender Stefan de Vrij, who was one of the best defenders at the World Cup in Brazil, was one of the many new recruits to land in Rome. Dusan Basta and Marco Parolo bring in their important Serie A experience, while Lazio also secured the full rights to their best player last season, Antonio Candreva. Upfront they signed Filip Djordjevic to back up all-time World Cup goalscorer Miroslav Klose.
Lazio’s Primevera is one of the best in the country and boasts of precocious talents like Keita Balde, Eddy Onazi, Mamadou Tounkara and Joseph Minala. Balde and Onazi have already shown their talent last season and will look to impress Pioli as they seek regular playing time this campaign.
Without Europe, Pioli has all eyes fixed on Serie A and a possible cup run. The early signs point towards a 4-3-3 formation but could easily interchange with a 4-4-2/4-5-1. If he brings the squad together and gets the players to embrace his tactics and philosophy, with dashes of youthful exuberance alongside a motivated Klose in his final season of football, Lazio are definitely to be watched out for.
What Pioli does on the pitch is paramount but he will also have to manage the pressures of being at Lazio. President Claudio Lotito has faced backlash from fans over the failed capture of defender Davide Astori, who was then plucked by arch rivals Roma. Fans have been berating Lotito for some time now over his running of the club. Possible boycotts from ultras or whistling and chanting for Lotito to leave the club will prove a fiery environment to build a successful campaign in.
But if Pioli can muster his team into a competitive unit and results come, then it will placate the fans even if only temporarily. If he can claim a win in the Derby della Capitale then the fans can devote their attentions to supporting the team — and him — which could further galvanize the club.
On the periphery of the higher echelons of Serie A, Lazio can go into this season full of optimism under Pioli and a fresh squad. They have the foundation to work off to cement a European challenge this season. The biggest question is whether the squads understanding and awareness will be refined enough in the opening stages of the season. If they have, then Lazio could prove to be a real surprise this campaign.
A summer of change breeds a season of intrigue for Lazio. While Roma are marching on, Pioli is just starting to take flight with the Aquile and with an eye to reach new soaring heights as well.
Follow Tom Rowland on Twitter at: @TWRowland
