SS Lazio in the 2013-14 Season
Serie A Finish: 9th
Match Results: W15-D11-L12
(Featured image: Lazio | Source: eurosport.yahoo.com)
Lazio were down two spots in the 2013-14 season from the previous term. They also scored goals as much as they conceded, thus accumulating a zero goal difference by the conclusion of the tournament. They were, however, able to remain in the top half for the most parts of their campaign and such feat is respectable enough considering Seria A’s highly competitive nature. They were among the sports betting favorites for the entire duration of the games.
During the summer transfer window in 2013, Lazio sought the service of fine new players: Antonio Candreva (co-owned by Udinese), Diego Novaretti from Toluca, Felipe Anderson from Santos, Lucas Biglia from Anderlacht, and Josip Elez from Hajduk. Meanwhile, a few notable players also left the side to play in other stadiums: Juan Pablo Carrizo to Inter, Ettore Mendicino to Salernitana, Modibo Diakité to Sunderland, Luca Crescenzi to Siena, and Mauro Zárate to Velez.
Biancocelesti kicked off their campaign with a victory over Udinese, which made them among the seven top-ranking clubs on the first week of Serie A. However, a defeat from Juventus in the following week pulled them down towards the 12th spot and recorded a goal difference of -2. One of the tournament’s most resilient teams, Lazio were able to turn this deficit around and scored numerous wins in their subsequent battles. In fact, they were only out of the top half on two occasions and spent 36 out 38 weeks between the seventh and 10th league spots. Their notable triumphs included the ones against Chievo, Livorno, Inter, Parma, and Fiorentina.
The former Vladimir Petković-managed side also participated in other Italian and UEFA tournaments. They reached the quarter-finals of the Coppa Italia and settled in the Round of 32 at the Europa League. Antonio Candreva was their overall top scorer, having netted 12 goals in all competitions.
