Amid confirmations and questions, Lazio is preparing to make an important decision for next season. A decision that comes with an examination on the field
Lazio, rinnova ma resta sotto esame: tre mesi per decidere tutto (Foto: Ansa) – serieanews.com
What does it take to become number one? No, not figuratively speaking. We are really talking about the starting goalkeeper’s jersey, the one that weighs more than all the others. Because between the posts you play the trust of everyone: of teammates, of the coach, of the fans. And, in the case of Lazio, that jersey has become a hot topic again. Very hot.
On the one hand, there are those who need to redeem themselves. On the other, those who have a great chance to take it all. In between, a club watching and evaluating every single detail, ready to make decisions that could change the course of next season.
Two years ago, no one would have bet a euro on a Lazio without Ivan Provedel as a starter. He was the goalkeeper of certainties, the one who made you sleep soundly. Instead, today he finds himself out. Not because of a simple turnover, but because something is broken. Confidence, security, maybe just a bad moment that, however, has lasted for months now.
In his place is Christos Mandas, a young Greek goalkeeper, class of 2001. Not exactly the identikit of someone who should hold up a team aiming for Europe. Yet, Baroni has handed him the biancoceleste goal several times. Not so much by choice as by necessity.
And Mandas, so far, has been ready. Enough to earn a fresh contract renewal, made official just yesterday: new 2029 expiration date and salary increase.
Un casting tra i pali: chi sarà il portiere della Lazio 2025-26?
But be careful not to be fooled: the Mandas extension is not an end point. It is the beginning of a trial that will last until May. Between now and the end of the season, Mandas will have to prove himself worthy of that jersey. Not only for the present, but especially for the future.
Un casting tra i pali: chi sarà il portiere della Lazio 2025-26? (AnsaFoto) – serieanews.com
The role of Lazio’s starting goalkeeper is still in question. If Mandas holds his own, he could become the point man for next season. But should he show cracks, the club is already ready to move in the market.
The names that are circulating? They are always the same ones that could take Provedel’s place. There is Lorenzo Montipò, whom Baroni knows well from his time at Verona. A reliable goalkeeper, also very good with his feet.
Then there is Vanja Milinkovic-Savic, a brother of art who has made the leap to Torino this year, securing the Granata goal. The obstacle, in this case, is the price, which is sure to be very high.
Finally, watch out for Filip Stankovic: son of Dejan, he did very well in Venice until the nasty injury that will keep him out practically until the end of the season. A hypothesis, this one, that Lazio could evaluate only in the summer, with the certainty of having a goalkeeper who is 100 percent ready.
The present, however, is called Mandas. It is up to him to change everyone’s mind. Lazio is giving him confidence, but he demands answers. This is not an easy test: the fans are demanding, his teammates want to feel protected, and Baroni needs a solid base to get going again. If Mandas passes this test, Lazio’s goal can be his again next year. If not, other scenarios will open up.
This article Lazio, renews but remains under scrutiny: answer in three months appeared first on SerieANews.
