With the vital victory over resurgent Sampdoria during Saturday evening action of Serie A, Lazio have taken a vital step towards the ambition of finishing at Champions League places, thanks to Santiago Gentiletti’s winner at Luigi Ferraris, the same ground in which he was injured badly while playing Genoa in early September.
Lazio are currently at second in Serie A table with 66 points, two points ahead of city rivals AS Roma, who host Udinese on Sunday evening. Victory against Udinese will almost ensure Roma’s chances of finishing at Champions League places, considering Lazio finishing their season at Napoli.
The disappointing draw at Parma last week let Napoli to feel the fear of missing Champions League football next season if any further slip occurs. Napoli will host relegated Cesena on Monday evening, before travelling to Juventus next week.
Lazio took just five points in five games before travelling to Sampdoria on Saturday, which increased the fear of missing out Champions League football, despite coming so close enjoying the terrific mid-season. But the victory at Sampdoria solidified Lazio’s ambitions, and it is understood that Lazio will play for victories against Roma and Napoli in the final two games, thus by ensuring the automatic champions league qualification.
There is no doubt that Napoli and Roma will play their game with big pressure, and the pressure will be even higher on Napoli should Roma post victory against Udinese on Sunday.
Lazio are set to endure a busy schedule in the closing stages of Serie A, as they play Juventus in Coppa Italia final, before playing Roma and Napoli respectively on successive weeks in Serie A.
When the season kicked off, no one thought that Lazio will compete for Champions League, but the new coach Stefano Piolo has changed the fate of Biancocelesti playing some beautiful attacking and attractive football. Summer signings Stefan De Vrij and Marco Parolo have lived up to their expectations, playing crucial roles in taking Lazio elite. Lazio’s transfer policy during last summer deserve a huge load of applause.
Starting the season slowly, Lazio have increased the momentum as the season progressed. Except losing 3-0 to Juventus at Stadio Olimpico in December, Lazio have produced good performances throughout the season. This season is a great success for Lazio if the Biancocelesti can make into the champions league, irrespective of winning the Coppa Italia.