Lazio goalkeeper Ivan Provedel must find his form sooner rather than later as Marco Baroni is reportedly running out of patience.
The Background
The 30-year-old has been the Biancocelesti’s first choice since joining the club in the summer of 2022. But after two solid campaigns, his performances have been less convincing this term, as illustrated by his most recent outing against Napoli.
Ivan Provedel Under Fire
Therefore, the voices calling for a change between the sticks have been growing louder and louder with every blunder. After all, Lazio have a competent alternative choice in Christos Mandas, a 23-year-old Greek custodian who put up a series of convincing displays last season when Provedel was injured between March and May.
The Lazio Hierarchy
Nevertheless, Baroni has adopted a clear pecking order since the start of the season, confirming the Italy international as his first choice while Mandas has been the designated cup goalkeeper, playing exclusively in the Europa League and the Coppa Italia. The latter is reportedly unhappy with his situation, which is taking its toll on his contract talks with the club.
Marco Baroni Considering a Change
But while Baroni publicly backed the struggling Provedel, Il Corriere dello Sport insists the coach is seriously considering changing his hierarchy. As the Roman newspaper explains, the next stretch of fixtures could be decisive in this regard.
Decisive Run
Lazio will play Venezia in Serie A and then take on Inter Milan in the Coppa Italia quarter-finals and Milan in back-to-back fixtures at San Siro. This will also be followed by a couple of fixtures in the Europa League Round of 16. So if Provedel fails to convince once more while Mandas puts up solid displays, a change in the pecking order would become inevitable.
Everyone knows provedel has deemed in form. So why keep him in the pools when there is a safer hands on the bench.