Lazio – Lecce

Lazio to rehabilitate for recent setbacks

Lazio decided to make life difficult for themselves at the end of the season. The team were firmly in second place in the standings, but they had lost three times in the last five rounds. The first was a defeat against Torino. "The Biancocelesti conceded a goal late in the first half and managed to get back into the game on level terms. Then, with a score of 3-1, the Eagles were unlucky to finish the meeting with Inter. It is worth noting that Maurizio Sarri's men were in the lead until the 78th minute of the game. On Matchday 33, Lazio rehabilitated themselves by beating Sassuolo 2-0. Sarri himself described the match against the Neroverdi as almost his team's best performance of the season. Last Saturday, Rome welcomed Milan to the San Siro. All the more surprising, then, that after last Saturday's success, the Eagles were winless in this encounter. "The Biancocelesti conceded twice and failed to reply. Nevertheless, even this setback did not knock Lazio out of the top four. Currently, the team are sitting in third place, two points behind Juventus. At the same time, Inter have one point less and Milan three. Obviously, the Romans' main goal is to remain in the Champions League zone. The calendar also favours the Eagles: they have Udinese, Cremonese, and Empoli to play before the end of the championship. Lecce, although they have lost for two games in a row, are still in the relegation zone. Last week they lost narrowly to Verona to move up to 17th. Before that, the Wolves were 2-1 down to Juventus. It plays into the Giallorossi's hands that Spezia, who have already slipped down to 18th place, are performing even worse. Marco Baroni's side have room for manoeuvre with four points, and the meeting against the Ligurians will be decisive in the next round. Aside from that, the Wolves will also face Monza and Bologna. The only obstacle for Lazio to reach their stated goal can only be themselves. Obviously, the difference in class and the motivation of the teams is too different at this stage. Yes, Lecce did inflict a 2-1 defeat on the Eagles in the first leg. But the first leg in 2023 is an exception to the rule. Sarri's side are now ready to take revenge and pick up three points.