Lazio Club Focus: Does the January transfer window bring an untimely change?

Date: 25th November 2015 at 3:11pm
Written by:

Can the Biancocelesti improve upon their recent inconsistency, or will the January transfer window drain them ever further?

lazio roma

What does the future bring for the downward spiralling Aquile?

Sharing the spoils with Palermo after having to come from behind, is not what coach Stefano Pioli had in mind for this week’s return from the international break.

Fans at the Stadio Olimpico experienced tense moments even before the match had started on Sunday, as an unattended backpack left in the terraces was thought to be a bomb threat. Sections of supporters were cleared away by police only to realise that a father had left his bag of snacks alone whilst taking his daughter to the bathroom.

Once the game had begun, the home side were baffled to see Edoardo Goldaniga put them behind early on, in a bid to repay his unlikely selection by new Rosanero boss Davide Ballardini, but yet again the defensive alertness of Lazio seemed far too lacking in this instant.

ROME, ITALY - NOVEMBER 22: Edoardo Goldaniga #6 of US Citta di Palermo scores the opening goal during the Serie A match between SS Lazio and US Citta di Palermo at Stadio Olimpico on November 22, 2015 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

The match saw an evergreen Stefano Sorrentino put in a stellar performance to deny the Aquilotti an immediate response, and earned his spot in Forza Italian Football’s Team of the Week.

A victory in this meeting would have lifted the squad back into a sense of resurgence alongside Juventus with 21 points, but instead the Biancocelesti lacked conviction like a few of the other top sides over the weekend such as Fiorentina and Roma.

But are Lazio still a top side? Or are they just unlucky?

Pundits may look at their third place finish last year as a fluke considering their early struggles this season, yet many fans are still with the side after their impressive campaign. However, they may not be around for much longer if this lack of form continues.

Perhaps the worst thing about the struggles of this campaign is the over-reliance upon their major stars.

Midfielder Lucas Biglia comes to mind immediately, who initially struggled with injuries at the start the season, but shook off the pain to put in his best efforts and lead his side back to winning ways on his return, albeit only six victories have been earned thus far in Serie A.Biglia lazio

Despite his passion and determination put in as club captain, the Argentinian has garnered plenty of admirers around Europe with the likes of Inter, Liverpool, Manchester United, and Real Madrid setting their sights on his services.

Even worse, the player’s agent has refused to rule out his potential exit in January for greener pastures.

Of course there are other vital cogs in this Biancocelesti side that are continuously monitored, such as Antonio Candreva, Felipe Anderson and Senad Lulic, whilst Miroslav Klose is keen to put his craft to work in Major League Soccer.

With so many questions of departures and loyalty up in the air, it’s no wonder that the changing room seems to be missing some much-needed confidence.

Although, Lazio have adopted the notion of keeping friends close and enemies closer, as Thursday’s Europa League opponents Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk may just have the right defensive addition they desperately need.

These concerns will remain, but the Biancocelesti can only focus on the obstacles ahead with full determination.

 

Comments are closed.