As the 2024-25 Serie A season approaches its climax, Lazio find themselves in a competitive position, aiming to secure European football for next term. With a good blend of youth and experience and Marco Baroni as manager, the club are poised to make huge strides in the short term and next season.
Recent Form, Current Standings & Last Fixtures
In the month of May so far, Lazio has played three of their final four Serie A fixtures. They defeated Empoli 1-0 away from home (May 4), they drew Juventus 1-1 at home (May 10), and drew Inter at the San Siro by a score of 2-2 (May 18).
Up next in their final game is a match-up against 17th-place Lecce (May 25) to cap off their 2024-25 campaign; as it stands, Lazio sit in 6th place (65 points), one point behind Roma (5th place, 66 points) and two points behind Juventus (4th place, 67 points).
To qualify for the UEFA Champions League, they must secure all three points vs the Puglian side, but also hope Juventus loses vs Udinese, and that city rivals Roma drop points vs Torino.
Squad Evolution & Key Players
The 2024-25 season has been somewhat transformative for Lazio. The departure of players like Ciro Immobile, Luis Alberto, and Felipe Anderson necessitated a rebuild. And, under Baroni, new signings are among those to have stepped up:
- Pedro: The 37-year-old has taken the lead in being the club’s top goalscorer, showing that age is just a number.
- Boulaye Dia: The Senegalese forward, brought in from Salernitana, has added much-needed depth to the attacking lineup.
- Nuno Tavares: On loan from Arsenal, Tavares has started to revitalize his career, providing assists and great play from wide, despite his worrying injuries.
- Alessio Romagnoli & Mario Gila: The Spanish and Italian defender in the heart of the backline have helped make the team more solid, giving troubles to any opposition’s attack.
- Nicolo Rovella & Matteo Guendouzi: The midfield duo have consistently performed and stayed fit to form one of the best midfield duos in Europe.
These players, along with others, have been and continue to be instrumental in Lazio’s quest for European qualification this season.
Looking Ahead: 2025-26 Ambitions
Building on their current momentum, Lazio are aiming to establish themselves as consistent contenders domestically and in Europe. However, a lot of their planning for next season and ambitions for 2025-26 will hinge on what they do in their remaining Serie A fixture…
The club’s continued integration of young talents like Arijon Ibrahimovic, who arrived on loan from Bayern Munich, does indicate a forward-thinking approach.
The club’s strategy involves:
- Youth Development: Fostering promising youth signings into the first team.
- Tactical Consistency: Maintaining a cohesive playing style under Baroni and one that runs throughout all age groups at the club.
- European Competitions: Aiming for good runs in UEFA tournaments, as this will enhance the club’s profile and provide players with experience.
What Happens Next?
If you go by what football betting sites are saying, the odds suggest Lazio will get the points they need to likely qualify for the UEFA Conference League, which means 2025-26 should be full of promise.
The key for Lazio is to win their final fixture. By doing so, they guarantee a spot in Europe’s competitions; however, their future in which of the three competitions hinges on what Juventus and Roma do in the final round.
This starting squad was very good, almost good enough to challenge for a scudetto.
The big difference? Our bench sucks.
If one key starter is out we are almost doomed. We saw what happened with Taty out.
We need to upgrade the bench, we can’t depend on just one good starter.
Pedro’s decline is coming sooner or later.
Lotito, it’s time to build on this squad and take the next step. This team needs to start winning some trophies again.