It has been a season to forget so far for Lazio.

After a disappointing summer in which a transfer embargo prevented the Biancocelesti from signing new players, returning head coach Maurizio Sarri is fighting an uphill battle.

Sarri returned to the Italian capital in June, 15 months after he resigned from the club and Lazio are fortunate to have such a talented coach at the helm.

However, president Claudio Lotito continues to draw ire from Lazio supporters, with his stand-offish, uninvolved approach and lack of significant investment into the club.

Last week, former Lazio playmaker Luis Alberto said that his old club was “run by people who don’t understand football” and herein lies the fundamental issue at the Stadio Olimpico.

ROME, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 21: Lorenzo Pellegrini of AS Roma celebrates after scoring goal 0-1 during the Serie A match between SS Lazio and AS Roma at Stadio Olimpico on September 21, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Silvia Lore/Getty Images)

Derby della Capitale loss shows Lazio have a long way to go

Lazio faced off against fierce local rivals Roma on Sunday afternoon and were unfortunate to fall to a 1-0 defeat. Biancocelesti forward Boulaye Dia missed a golden opportunity to equalise for his side and Sarri’s side created several other good goalscoring opportunities, without anything to show for it.

However, Roma were able to add the likes of Kostas Tsimikas, Evan Ferguson, Neil El Aynaoui and more to their squad in the summer, whilst their rivals could only complete permanent deals for loan transfers with pre-existing obligations.

Sarri’s side gave a good account of themselves but a lack of depth really reared its ugly head, especially with injuries continuing to crop up for the Biancocelesti. Fisayo Dele-Bashiru had to be substituted early on against Roma and an unfit Nicolo Rovella started the match in absence of too many other options.

SASSUOLO, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 14: SS Lazio head coach Maurizio Sarri during the Serie A match between US Sassuolo Calcio and SS Lazio at Mapei Stadium Citta del Tricolore on September 14, 2025 in Sassuolo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)

With Maurizio Sarri, however, Lazio have their light in the darkness. His return to the club was somewhat of a shock and his decision to stay even after the transfer embargo became apparent is even more surprising. We are talking about a coach with a Europa League trophy and a Serie A title under his belt, in addition to playing a big role in Napoli’s resurgence in the mid-to-late 2010s.

Sarri is a true football philosopher, with a tried and tested style of play that he continues to develop throughout his journey as a coach. With time, patience and eventually some support from the board, the coach is the perfect man to lead Lazio.

However, patience and support are not so easily received in Rome. In the last five years, the Biancocelesti went from regular Champions League football, some truly elite players and a competent backroom team spearheaded by the likes of Simone Inzaghi and Igli Tare, to no Europe, no transfers and the signings they have made, through sporting director Angelo Mariano Fabiani, have hardly set the world on fire.

Lazio, and specifically Claudio Lotito, must learn the error of their ways and focus on consistency and the right support for their staff – otherwise they risk the likes of Sarri turning their back on the project once more. If the coach leaves, there is no telling how much further the club could be set back. If Lotito sells the club, however, the sky is truly the limit for the Eagles to soar in.