Lazio Predictions for 25/26 Season: What to Expect from the Sarri’s Men | OneFootball

After an unusual summer at Lazio, the team is now putting the final touches on their preparation for the new season, which will kickstart in Como on Sunday.

The Biancocelesti left off on a torrid note, as Marco Baroni’s sorry band burned down all the good work conducted in the first half of the season, as they ended the campaign empty-handed.

In the end, the manager was the only one to pay the price for the collapse, as everyone else (with the exception of Loum Tchaouna) remained at the club, a situation mainly enforced by the plaguing transfer ban.

Hence, Maurizio Sarri has inherited an almost identical group to the one that was at Baroni’s disposal last season.

So what should we expect from the Biancocelesti under the guidance of the returning manager? Who will be Lazio’s best performers this season, and who will be the most disappointing?

Here are our predictions for Lazio’s 2025/26 campaign.

Most Improved: Oliver Provstgaard

Following his arrival in January, Provstgaard became an afterthought at Baroni’s court. But after six months of apprenticeship, Sarri won’t waste any time before putting him to the test, beginning with the Serie A opener against Como.

While it remains to be seen how smooth and swift the process will be, one thing is for sure: The Dane will emerge as a considerably better defender under the 66-year-old’s tutelage.

Most Regressed: Elseid Hysaj

Unlike last season, Hysaj isn’t expected to be omitted from the Serie A squad. However, this is when the positive news ends. At this stage, the Albanian appears to be the club’s fifth-choice full-back, as his best days are clearly in the rear-view mirror.

If the former Napoli star can’t earn himself a permanent role under Sarri, who happens to be his longtime football mentor, then his Lazio career is likely on its last leg.

Surprise of the Season: Matteo Cancellieri

At the beginning of pre-season, Cancellieri was only expected to pass by Formello before finding himself a new club yet again. But in a shocking twist of fate, the once-outcast is now the favorite to start on the opening day of the season.

The Italian winger took advantage of Gustav Isaksen’s health issues and Tijjani Noslin’s inconsistent displays, but this shouldn’t take anything away from the 23-year-old, who was the club’s absolute standout performer of the summer, and will now have the opportunity to confirm his signficant growth by delivering in competitive fixtures as well.

Best Comeback: Danilo Cataldi

Like Cancellieri, Cataldi wasn’t expected to dwell in the capital. Nevertheless, Fiorentina decided against purchasing his contract, and Sarri was all too happy to reunite with his old ally.

The Lazio youth product may not play as a regular starter this season, as Nicolo Rovella apparently has the upper hand in the Regista role, but his experience will prove vital on some occasions, while his presence will be fundamental in the locker room.

Most Disappointing: Taty Castellanos

In fairness, Castellanos was at times unfairly criticised last season, as his campaign wasn’t as bad as some have tried to depict, especially prior to his mid-season injury woes. However, it just feels that the chemistry between him and Sarri is missing.

After all, the manager preferred a waning Ciro Immoblie over the Argentinian striker in the 2023/24 season, only for Igor Tudor to change the hierarchy. Let’s hope that Taty’s pre-season form doesn’t prove to be an ill omen of what to expect from the striker in the 2025/26 campaign.

Top Goal-Scorer: Mattia Zaccagni

While we expect Castellanos and Boulaye Dia to blow hot and cold, Mattia Zaccagni should play week in, week out (barring injuries), and if his previous stats under Sarri are anything to go by, then he should be able to rack up goals on a consistent basis.

Although the winger won’t score 20 goals, his tally could beat every other Lazio player, including the strikers.

Lazio MVP: Nuno Tavares

Nuno Tavares has all the makings to become a world-class full-back, and this could be the season that sees him stake his claim as one of the best in Europe. The Portuguese has always been a devastating attacking force, but his defending still needs some polishing, and this is where Sarri and his staff will be looking to intervene.

Nevertheless, this particular prediction comes with a disclaimer, as the former Arsenal man must first overcome the recurring muscle problems that blighted him last season, especially in the final stages.

Last Hurrah: Pedro

After putting together one of the most elusive careers of the past few decades, Pedro has nothing left to prove to anyone, and yet, he insists on challenging himself by setting new objectives. While we expect the Spaniard to be productive and useful for the cause as ever, this will likely be his last season with the Biancocelesti, as he’ll be 39 next summer.

Therefore, Lazio fans and Serie A followers in general should cherish his presence while they still can.

Lazio’s Final Serie A Standing: 7th

Realistically speaking, Lazio doesn’t have the squad to compete with Napoli, Inter Milan, Juventus, and AC Milan. Therefore, barring any collapses, the Biancocelesti will finish behind these four clubs.

On the other hand, it’s difficult to get a good read on Gian Piero Gasperini’s Roma and Ivan Juric’s Atalanta, as their campaigns could go towards either extreme or anything in between. Meanwhile, Stefano Pioli’s Fiorentina and Vincenzo Italiano’s Bologna have every desire to challenge for European spots, but are unlikely to land in the Top Four, which put them in a similar situation to Lazio.

Therefore, Sarri’s men could realistically finish anywhere between 5th and 9th spots, so a 7th-place finish sounds like a fair bet.