17 April 2015
Having finished in a disappointing ninth position last season, an all-round improvement in all areas of the pitch was needed if Lazio wanted to achieve any sort of success this time around.
And Stefano Pioli’s men, who will square off against Juventus in June’s Coppa Italia final, have managed to exceed all expectations, propelling themselves up into second place following a fine campaign.
Some players have really stepped up to the plate this season, as the Biancocelesti endeavour to make their grand return to European football next year.
Juventus.com takes a look at three of Lazio’s stars who have all come in for warranted praise this term: tireless performer Antonio Candreva, future superstar Felipe Anderson and evergreen forward Miroslav Klose.
Name: Antonio Candreva
Age: 28*
Position: *Attacking midfielder/Winger
Former Bianconeri midfielder Antonio Candreva continues to earn rave reviews for his performances with the Rome-based outfit.
Due to his tactical versatility, the 28-year-old – who spent a solitary season with Juventus in 2010 – can be deployed in a variety of positions, and his dynamism, pace and vision see him earmarked as one of the men to watch in Saturday’s contest.
In 24 Serie A appearances this term, the Azzurri international has bagged seven goals and seven assists, as well as filling in as captain when usual skipper Stefano Mauri has been absent.
One for statistics buffs, Candreva’s expert crossing ability has seen him pump 153 passes into opposition defences’ mixers, the highest out of any other player in Italy’s top flight.
Name: Felipe Anderson*
Age:* 22*
Position: *Attacking midfielder/Winger
Brazilian under-21 international Felipe Anderson has the potential to be world class.
The Lazio number seven, who arrived from Santos FC back in June 2013, can play on either wing, likes to cut inside and is ambidextrous, attributes that any other player would envy.
As well as possessing a long-range special in his locker and terrorising opposition backlines with his wizardry, the 22-year-old is very unselfish and frequently brings his team-mates into play.
Despite picking up an injury halfway through this 2014/15 season, Anderson has managed to contribute ten strikes and six assists, with all of them coming in his last 13 domestic appearances.
Name: Miroslav Klose
Age: 36
Position: Forward
Veteran striker Miroslav Klose continues to perform to the best of his abilities, form that belies his elder years.
The German broke Brazilian Ronaldo’s record for amount of goals at the World Cup finals during the summer (16) and ended his career with Die Mannschaft in the most spectacular way: by winning the planet's most sought-after trophy.
Despite featuring in only 15 league games this season, the 36-year-old has rolled back the years, chipping in with ten strikes and five assists.
Klose, who is a constant threat from set-pieces, was recently voted man of the match during Lazio’s 4-0 demolition of Fiorentina at the start of March.
