Lazio Club Focus: Risen from the Ashes

Date: 30th September 2015 at 2:00pm
Written by:

From being torn apart on Napoli’s operating table to a public shaming by their own fans, has there been a more resilient side than the now fifth placed Lazio?

verona lazio

Recovery for Stefano Pioli’s side has indeed been both swift and much needed, but it has not come without facing plenty shades of adversity.

The Aquile took to the Stadio Olimpico last Wednesday knowing that they were up against two opponents, a lacklustre Genoa side, and a section of fuming ultras that had flooded the club training grounds the Sunday prior in firm protest of the club’s massive failings against what had been a formerly winless Napoli.

With jibes such as “shameful 11”  thrown at the players among some other graphic descriptions, Pioli saw no other option than to announce that the squad would go into ‘ritiro’ until the match with the Grifone.

The players answered the critics with a much needed three points thanks to goals from Filip Djordjevic and Felipe Anderson. Midfielder Danilo Cataldi called it “the real Lazio” on the day, but more importantly were the words of Pioli who emphasized the need for the results to arrive on a consistent basis.

The upcoming tie at Hellas Verona signified an even higher hurdle for the Blucerchiati considering it was only four days away, and the trend of losing heavily following midweek clashes remained all too familiar in the back of everyone’s mind.

Cataldi- Lazio

As one of the remaining three winless sides in Serie A, the Mastini were tired of being lumped in with Frosinone and Carpi, especially since they had notched two wins and two draws by this stage last year. Lazio were nearly bitten by the dog on this occasion too.

Despite early dominance in the Stadio Bentegodi, the visitors lacked a finishing touch and more costly was their lack of defensive organization. The second half is when everyone’s brilliance was given full credit. Stefano Pioli’s first double substitution in the second half would become the best of his tactical decision making this season by far, as it immediately restored the parity.

Keita Balde’s inclusion was spectacular, as the Spaniard entered the pitch with Stefano Mauri and his blistering run drew the equalizing penalty that Lucas Biglia slammed away. Biglia’s leadership and visible passion to win gave his teammates the life that was missing in matches against Chievo and Napoli. The Argentine sealed matters as he set up Marco Parolo for his best moment of the season and game-winning strike with just minutes left.

Keita Balde Diao - Lazio

With Antonio Candreva set for a Europa League return, there is much to smile about for this club once again. This week may go down as one of the most important turnaround moments in Lazio’s entire domestic campaign.

 

Comments are closed.