Lazio Pre‑Season Training Begins at Formello

After completing medical checks last week, Lazio launched their pre‑season camp at Formello on Monday morning. Manager Gennaro Gattuso and his coaching staff will conduct two daily training sessions over the next few weeks. The squad is scheduled for six friendlies against mostly lower‑tier opponents before the opener on August 16 against Mantova in the Coppa Italia.

Goalkeeping lineup set for the new campaign

The club’s goalkeeper room has changed dramatically after Ivan Provedel moved to Inter Milan, opening the door for Christos Mandas to assume the No. 1 role. Edoardo Motta remains the back‑up, while Alesio Furlanetto’s serious injury from last season has led to the promotion of Davide Renzetti to the senior squad. Eighteen‑year‑old Luigi D’Alessio was invited to pre‑season but will not be in the first‑team roster this term.

Called up: Mandas, Motta, Renzetti, D’Alessio

Defence in transition after high‑profile exits

Lazio entered pre‑season with a thin centre‑back corps after selling Mario Gila to AC Milan and Alessio Romagnoli to Al‑Sadd. The current backline relies on Patric, Samuel Gigot and Oliver Provstgaard, all of whom will need to prove they can shoulder the burden. The club has added youthful options in Brazilian Ricardo Bordon (19) and Slovenian prodigy Blaz Kovac (16). Transfers are in the final stage, with the club close to securing Sergi Dominguez and Danilho Doekhi, and revived interest in Diogo Leite.

Called up: Gigot, Patric, Provstgaard, Kovac, Bordon

Full‑back depth exceeds needs

Unlike other positions, Lazio boasts six full‑back players for the two wing slots. On the left, newcomer Alfonso Pedraza joins Nuno Tavares, while Manuel Pellegrini may be on the move. Romano Floriani Mussolini returns from a loan spell at Cremonese and could challenge Adam Marusic for the right‑back berth. Manuel Lazzari also features in the rotation, giving Gattuso plenty of options.

Called up: Floriani, Lazzari, Marusic, Pedraza, Pellegrini, Nuno Tavares

Midfield faces roster holes

The central midfield group is stretched thin after Toma Basic joined Venezia and Danilo Cataldi missed pre‑season due to groin surgery. Gattuso will lean on Nicolo Rovella and Kenneth Taylor as his main pivots, with Reda Belahyane and Fisayo Dele‑Bashiru hoping to break into the lineup. Adrian Przyborek, who featured once last season, remains on the radar, while young signings Bruno Galassi (from Real Madrid) and Valerio Falcomeni are not expected to feature immediately.

Called up: Belahyane, Dele‑Bashiru, Przyborek, Rovella, Taylor, Galassi, Falcomeni

Attack rebuild in progress

Lazio’s forward department is particularly thin after Pedro’s likely retirement, Daniel Maldini’s return to Atalanta and Gustav Isaksen’s recovery from groin surgery. The current striking pool includes Matteo Cancellieri, Boulaye Dia, Tijjani Noslin, Petar Ratkov and club captain Mattia Zaccagni. Recent returnee Gabriele Artistico brings Serie B experience from Spezia, and 20‑year‑old Federico Serra is also on the books. The club is still looking to add firepower through the market.

Called up: Artistico, Cancellieri, Dia, Noslin, Ratkov, Zaccagni, Serra

What the summer moves mean for the season

The influx of young defenders and the pursuit of experienced centre‑backs signal Lazio’s intent to shore up a weak link that cost points last term. With a surplus of full‑backs and a shortage of midfield minutes, Gattuso will likely rotate heavily to keep players fresh for the Coppa Italia clash. The attacking void could force the club to prioritize a new forward before the transfer window closes, as the squad currently lacks depth to sustain a Serie A campaign.

The opener against Mantova on August 16 marks the first official test of this rebuild, offering a chance for fringe players to impress and for the new signings to integrate into the squad’s tactical plans.