2024-25 UEFA Europa League: Lazio Could Meet Roma in Blockbuster Tie | OneFootball

Lazio could face some intriguing ties as they strive to reach a European final for the first time since winning the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup in 1998-99.

Their reward for topping the Europa League standings in the opening phase will be a last-16 tie against either Viktoria Plzen, Ferencvaros, Porto or Roma; the latest odds on football betting sites rate Lazio 7/1 favourites to win UEFA’s second-tier club competition this season.

Read on as we look at the draw for the knockout round play-off and last-16, before assessing Lazio’s chances of making further progress in the competition.

UEFA Europa League 2024-25 – Knockout Round Play-Off Draw

The ties are scheduled for February 13 & 20.

UEFA Europa League 2024-25 – Round of 16 Draw

The ties are scheduled for March 6 & 13

Premier League Giants Stand in Lazio’s Path to European Glory

Lazio finished the opening phase of the Europa League on top of the standings despite suffering a 1-0 defeat at Braga on Matchday 8. Six wins and a draw were enough for the Serie A giants to claim the top spot with 19 points ahead of Athletic Bilbao on goal difference.

Their potential route to the Quarter-Finals could be blocked by local rivals Roma, who have landed in the same section of the draw as Lazio. Head coach Marco Baroni is unfazed by the prospect of facing Roma, saying he respects all the teams who have made it through to this stage of the competition.

“This is a marvellous tournament and we know every team we face from now on will be of a high level,” Baroni told Sky Italy. “We’ll wait and see, then be ready to battle it out against whoever we are drawn against. Now we will get our heads back on Serie A and the Coppa Italia – we need to get some players back in shape, as everyone has put so much effort in so far this season.”

Lazio’s route to the final would undoubtedly be a little easier if they were paired with either Ferencvaros or Viktoria Plzen in the Round of 16. Their potential Quarter-Final opponents in that section of the draw would be either FC Twente, Bodo/Glimt, Olympiacos or Rangers; landing in the other half of the draw would pitch Lazio in with Olympiacos, Rangers, Fenerbahce or Anderlecht if they defeated Porto or Roma.

Regardless of how the draw unfolds, Lazio could face some big hitters if they can safely navigate their way to the Semi-Finals. Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur are both expected to reach that stage of the competition and would be tough opponents for Lazio. Eintracht Frankfurt or Lyon could also come into the mix, although they would probably have to overcome one of the Premier League clubs to reach the last four.

The two English sides undoubtedly look the biggest threat to Lazio’s hopes of ending their long wait to win another European trophy. However, it is worth noting that both clubs have been hugely inconsistent in the Premier League this season and neither of them are unbeatable. Man United have shown signs of improvement under manager Ruben Amorim, and they did well to navigate the opening phase of the Europa League without losing a game.

It would be no surprise if they crossed paths with Lazio at some point in the competition, but Baroni is unconcerned about the prospect of facing big clubs. “I really don’t care,” Baroni added. “We want to go all the way so strong teams will come at us no matter what. I’m only interested in raising our level again and again.”

Europa League 2024/25 – Outright odds