It may have been a relatively underwhelming start to the 2024/25 Serie A season for Lazio, with one win and one loss from their opening two games but as the campaign gets into its stride, attention naturally turns to the full breadth of the season ahead.
Following their 7th place finish in Serie A last year, Lazio find themselves back in the cut and thrust of European football, playing in the Europa League this term, rather than the Champions League they competed in last season.
Their last triumph in Europe was the UEFA Supercup in the 1999-00 season, but they will be optimistic about their chances in the Europa League this season.
Growing Reputation
Whilst the Europa League remains a second-tier competition within the footballing pyramid on the continent, the grandeur of the tournament continues to grow, mainly due to the quality of sides in the event.
Behemoths from England such as Manchester United and Tottenham, Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad from Spain and Porto from Portugal are all firmly in the mix this season, in what looks to be one of the closest run Europa League competitions for years.
The betting avenues are fully invested once more in the Europa League campaign, with so many fantastic sides in the mix and all football punters will be vying to back a side to go all the way in Europe’s secondary club competition.
Consequently, Lazio find themselves firmly in the mix for European glory, with plenty of speculation and markets forming around the potential winners of the 2024/25 Europa League. As the competition heats up, many punters are turning to betting with mobile apps to place their wagers on who will emerge victorious.
Sticky Start to 2024-25 Season
For all the initial optimism surrounding the appointment of Marco Baroni at the start of the season, there appears to be an impasse of sorts surrounding Lazio currently.
The opening day win over Venezia at Stadio Olimpico was as routine as expected but the manner in which they were beaten by Udinese on the road on match day two will be a concern for all at the club.
It appears that Baroni is still battling to find his best team, with personnel potentially chopping and changing until the end of the transfer window and there has been plenty of speculation as to who may be joining the ranks at Lazio.
However, they have plenty of time on their side this season and with none of the other big hitters in Serie A yet to fully hit their stride either, it could be a successful campaign for the Eagles.
Europa League Dream
Entering straight into the group stages will be hugely helpful for Marco Baroni’s side, as will their seeding, which should give them a more favourable draw in their group.
Marco Baroni’s squad are quite well-versed in European competitions with the likes of Pedro and Nuno Tavares, Matteo Guendouzi, Alessio Romagnoli, and Mattia Zaccagni who all have plenty of big-match experience.
In addition, emerging talents such as Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Tijjani Noslin will be desperate to make their mark on the competition, as they chase a spot in the UEFA Champions League for next season too.
The Stadio Olimpico is sure to be rocking again this season, not least due to the fact that both Roma and Lazio find themselves in the Europa League this term and the increase in rivalry of the tournament within the eternal city should add to the hype around the competition.
With plenty of momentum getting behind their Europa League bid, they will be eagerly anticipating the draw on Friday 30th August, as they look to have a crack at some of the very best sides on the continent.
