Lazio vs Venezia

Lazio’s new cycle after a turbulent summer kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico as they meet Serie A newcomers Venezia.

It’s been a summer of radical changes for Lazio following an underwhelming seventh-place finish in 2023/24. Ex-Hellas Verona manager Marco Baroni replaced Igor Tudor in July, only to see long-serving stalwarts Luis Alberto, Ciro Immobile, and Felipe Anderson leave the capital. It’s up to Tijjani Noslin, Gaetano Castrovilli, and Boulaye Dia to fill the vacancies, with Lazio coming into the new season on the back of a near-flawless pre-season (W4, D2). Baroni is gunning for a fast start. Confidence stems from Lazio’s traditionally superb season entries, which have seen them win their opening-day clash in four of the last five years (L1). There’s another reason for optimism among ‘I Biancocelesti’ fans, as Lazio have emerged victorious from three consecutive Serie A encounters against Venezia since a 0-0 draw in 2001.

Indeed, since beating Lazio 2-0 at their home stadium at the turn of the century, Venezia have gone winless in all seven subsequent H2Hs across all competitions (D2, L5). It doesn’t make for good reading as the Winged Lions seek a positive start on their top-flight return after two years away. New manager Eusebio Di Francesco faltered on his touchline debut as Venezia slumped to a 3-1 defeat to second-tier Brescia in the Coppa Italia last week. Di Francesco has to save his reputation after suffering relegation from Serie A with Frosinone in 2023/24. His new team fared well in pre-season (W4, D1, L1), but whether that would suffice to avoid defeat at the Stadio Olimpico for the first time in the 21st century remains to be seen (W4).