After a summer of change, Lazio return to Stadio Olimpico on Sunday, as they host promoted Venezia in their first fixture of the 2024-25 campaign. Disappointing results last season prompted the appointment of Marco Baroni, while Venezia are also under new management despite winning the Serie B playoffs.
Not only did Maurizio Sarri quit in mid-season after several weeks of airing various frustrations, but his replacement as Lazio head coach, Igor Tudor, later followed him through the exit door at Stadio Olimpico. Now, Marco Baroni starts the process of reinvigorating a squad that finished runners-up to Napoli in 2023 but stumbled to a seventh-placed finish last term.
The ex-Hellas Verona coach was not exactly Lazio fans' first-choice appointment, but despite their protests, he will lead the Rome club into the post-Ciro Immobile era. Following a year ruined by failing fitness and form, the Biancocelesti's talisman was left out of Luciano Spalletti's Italy squad for Euro 2024, and having subsequently left for Turkish giants Besiktas, new impetus will be sought in the final third.
After Sergej Milinkovic-Savic departed for Saudi Arabia last summer, big earners such as Luis Alberto and Felipe Anderson have now followed Immobile, helping to balance the books and fund moves for Tijjani Noslin and Loum Tchaouna. During a packed pre-season schedule, Lazio won four times and drew twice, finishing off with a 1-0 victory over Cadiz, so they should be primed to meet newly promoted opponents.
Sprinting to the finish line with seven wins from their last 10 matches, Venezia booked a return to Serie A after two years away, coming out on top in Italy's second-tier playoffs. After narrowly missing out to Como for automatic promotion, they beat Palermo in the semi-finals, before Christian Gytkjaer scored the decisive goal in a two-legged decider against Cremonese.
However, head coach Paolo Vanoli then took up an offer to fill the managerial vacancy at Torino, so Eusebio Di Francesco was hired to lead the Arancioneroverdi's upcoming battle for survival. After unsuccessful spells at Cagliari and Hellas Verona, Di Francesco almost kept Frosinone up last season, but now the ex-Roma midfielder and manager starts a new Serie A season back at Stadio Olimpico.
Four wins from six in pre-season suggested his Venezia side were in good shape for last Sunday's Coppa Italia tie at Stadio Rigamonti, where the Lagunari played their first competitive contest since earning promotion. They suffered a 3-1 loss to Serie B side Brescia, though, striking a blow to morale just before their testing trip to the capital.
Key Players to Watch
Summing up a fairly dismal season, Ciro Immobile was still Lazio's Serie A top scorer last term despite scoring just seven goals, but the hosts' front line will now be led by Taty Castellanos. The latter only found the net four times during his first year in Italy, but he should link up with new club captain Mattia Zaccagni in the final third; recently arrived from Salernitana, Senegal striker Boulaye Dia may make the bench.
Fellow new boys Loum Tchaouna and Tijjani Noslin are also vying for selection, while Matteo Guendouzi starts in midfield after making his loan move from Marseille permanent. While Lazio struggled for a regular scorer in 2023-24 - even turning to goalkeeper Ivan Provedel to save them at the end of a Champions League clash with Atletico Madrid - Venezia's Joel Pohjanpalo racked up 22 goals in Serie B, tying for top spot in the scoring charts. However, the Finnish striker is sidelined by a thigh problem, so Nicholas Pierini and Christian Gytkjaer may be paired up front on Sunday evening.
American midfielder Tanner Tessmann has been heavily linked to both Fiorentina and Inter Milan so was not involved last weekend, while his compatriot Gianluca Busio sustained an injury during the USA's Olympics campaign and will be out of action until September. Nonetheless, new signings Alfred Duncan and Gaetano Oristanio - both of whom previously spent time on loan at Cagliari - are available.
Predicted Lineups
Lazio possible starting lineup:Provedel; Lazzari, Casale, Romagnoli, Pellegrini; Rovella, Guendouzi; Tchaouna, Noslin, Zaccagni; Castellanos
Venezia possible starting lineup:Joronen; Altare, Svoboda, Sverko; Sagrado, Duncan, Crnigoj, Zampano; Oristanio, Pierini; Gytkjaer
Predictions
The last time these sides met, during the 2021-22 Serie A season, Lazio won both home and away, and Sunday's game should produce the same result: after Venezia suffered a shock cup loss last week, they will surely come up short at Stadio Olimpico. For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lazio's New Era Begins
The wait is finally over, as Marco Baroni will unveil his Lazio version to the Stadio Olimpico crowds when hosting Venezia on the opening matchday of the Serie A season. The Biancocelesti are undergoing a drastic summer overhaul, so it will be interesting to see how the team takes shape without departing senators Ciro Immobile, Luis Alberto and Felipe Anderson.
Baroni will be without the injured Mario Gila at the back, while Nuno Tavares remains doubtful. Hence, the coach will likely rely on Alessio Romagnoli and Nicolo Casale as centre-backs, flanked by Manuel Lazzari and Adam Marusic. In midfield, Nicolo Rovella is the favorite to start as a deep-lying playmaker supported by Matteo Guendouzi and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru. Taty Castellanos will lead the line while Lazio’s latest signing Boulaye Dia starts on the bench. Newly-appointed club captain Mattia Zaccagni will take his place on the left wing, while Tijjani Noslin and Gustav Isaksen fight it out for a spot on the right flank, with the Dutchman considered the favorite.
Venezia Facing a Steep Challenge
The new Serie A boys remain a work in progress, as they have yet to wrap up their transfer dealings. On his return to the Olimpico, former Roma coach Eusebio Di Francesco will have to do without several key players, including the injured Joel Pohjanpalo and Gianluca Busio, as well as Tanner Tessman who is hoping to leave the club before deadline day. Hence, the Lagunari will rely on Christian Gytkjaer to spearhead a 3-4-2-1 formation, supported by Inter Milan youth product Gaetano Oristanio and Nicholas Pierini.
