Just when their resurgence looked promising, Lazio’s road troubles have finally made their way home.
Since we last spoke of the Biancocelesti, there was a question of whether this team could really flex their muscles enough to earn their place in top echelons of the Serie A table. Albeit, the majority of this side’s muscles have been under constant treatment by the medical staff, something which has hindered coach Stefano Pioli in his search for their elusive second away victory this season.
After 11 rounds of Serie A fixtures, the club is still searching for consistent form. We can give the Aquile due credit for answering their frustrating tie against Sassuolo by then thumping Rosenborg and Torino 3-1 and 3-0 respectively at the Stadio Olimpico, but confidence away from the comforts of home is what separates the ample participants from the unique trophy winners.
Their match against Atalanta just three days after the Torino victory was painfully close, but seemed to clearly reflect the common themes of the club, both the good and the bad. Typically, they start games well, as they did against La Dea thanks to Lucas Biglia’ stunning free kick. However, the Biancocelesti’s defence is far too prone to collapsing, prime examples coming thanks to Dusan Basta’s catastrophic own goal, and also the non-existent marking for Alejandro Gomez’s winner in the 2-1 loss.
Following that match, Stefano Pioli made sure to motivate his side into reacting accordingly against AC Milan at the Olimpico, especially for the sake of bridging the gap with the strongest Serie A sides.
However, a resurgent Rossoneri side had other ideas, and arguably handed Lazio their toughest loss of the season by snapping their flawless home record of five straight wins with a 3-1 away victory on Sunday night. Sinisa Mihajlovic managed what Stefano Pioli couldn’t, and led his squad to just their second away victory of the campaign in emphatic circumstances. Former Roma players Alessio Cerci, Andrea Bertolacci, and Philippe Mexes all played a role in ruining Lazio’s night, who are surely wanting revenge now.
A haunting experience continued for Lazio at the Formello training grounds on Monday, where Aquile president Claudio Lotito was fuming at the display given against Milan.
“Winning takes a collective effort, rather than an individual one.” he told the players in his meeting.
“Now, you have to help yourselves and you have to help your teammates. It doesn’t matter what the name is on the back of the jersey. What matters is the crest on the front of it. You must completely change your attitude and display some character..”
With the Milanese clubs coming out on top over the capital clubs at the weekend, Lazio and Roma will get their most intense shot at redemption this weekend in the 144th Serie A edition of the Derby della Capitale.
Roma will be glad to welcome Lazio’s old nemesis Bayer Leverkusen to the Stadio Olimpico, but Lazio can truly find the growth that Pioli, Lotito & Co. need with a first Europa League away win in Rosenborg’s Lerkendal Stadion.
This derby looms as one of the most compelling matches to watch for lovers of Serie A. Only a win will do for Lazio, one that will not only give Roma their first taste of defeat in the Olimpico, but would disrupt the Giallorossi’s push for first place and give the Biancocelesti some much-needed swagger once again.
