​After last week’s medical assessments, Lazio have kicked off their pre-season training camp at Formello on Monday morning. Gennaro Gattuso and his technical staff will oversee sessions in the morning and the afternoon over the coming weeks, with six friendly matches against predominantly lower-tier opponents lined up before their first competitive fixture of the season, a Coppa Italia Round of 32 clash against Mantova on August 16.
Lazio have already announced the list of players who will participate in pre-season, and a closer look at each department clarifies where the squad stands. With Ivan Provedel moving to Inter Milan, Christos Mandas is expected to inherit the No. 1 goalkeeper’s role, supported by Edoardo Motta as his deputy. Alesio Furlanetto’s serious injury at the end of the last campaign means Davide Renzetti will be elevated to the first team. Eighteen-year-old Luigi D’Alessio will not be part of the senior squad this season but has been summoned for pre-season duties. The called-up players are Mandas, Motta, Renzetti, and D’Alessio.
Lazio begin pre-season with a thinned defence following the sales of Mario Gila to AC Milan and Alessio Romagnoli to Al-Sadd. The backline currently comprises Patric, Samuel Gigot, and Oliver Provstgaard as first-choice options, supplemented by 19-year-old Brazilian Ricardo Bordon and 16-year-old Slovenian prospect Blaz Kovac. Nevertheless, reinforcements appear likely, with management closing in on Sergi Dominguez and Danilho Doekhi, and reigniting interest in Diogo Leite. The defensive contingent is therefore a work in progress, with the potential for further arrivals to shore up options.
In contrast to other areas, Lazio boast a wealth of options at full-back. On the left flank, newcomer Alfonso Pedraza joins Nuno Tavares, while Manuel Pellegrini could be moving on. On the right, Romano Floriani Mussolini has returned from a loan spell at Cremonese and could begin the season as Adam Marusic’s understudy, potentially pressuring Manuel Lazzari for a starting berth. The full-back squad calls include Floriani, Lazzari, Marusic, Pedraza, Pellegrini, and Nuno Tavares.
Midfield presents limited choices for Gattuso. The club parted ways with Toma Basic, who joined Venezia, and Danilo Cataldi remains sidelined after groin surgery. Nicolo Rovella and Kenneth Taylor are expected to be central to the manager’s plans, while Reda Belahyane and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru will be vying to improve their standing and cement roles. Adrian Przyborek made just one appearance last season after arriving in January, yet he remains highly regarded at Formello. The camp will also feature 19-year-old Bruno Galassi, who recently joined from Real Madrid, and 20-year-old Valerio Falcomeni, though neither is anticipated to feature in Gattuso’s squad when the season opens.
In summary, Lazio head into pre-season with a focused plan to evaluate and reshape key departments. The goal is to balance a lean defensive unit with capable depth, reinforce the midfield with both established and emerging talents, and maintain a competitive and flexible approach across the squad as they prepare for the August return to competitive action.