On May 25, during a match between Lazio and Lecce, the stands were filled with 55,000 fans, celebrating as Lecce clinched an unexpected salvation and Lazio bid farewell to European competition after nine seasons. Fast forward to today, six months later, and the scene at the Olimpico Stadium is set to be starkly different, with only around 6,000 tickets sold. Many of the club’s 29,918 season ticket holders are anticipated to boycott the game in protest, leaving the stadium notably half-empty.
This match is particularly significant as it marks the 149th game managed by Sarri, making him the most tenured coach in Lazio’s history. However, the atmosphere is expected to be dim, with the absence of the most passionate organized fans. Sarri has urged his players to remain focused, insisting on a ‘No excuses!’ mindset ahead of this challenge against Di Francesco, who has had a commendable away record with seven points from ten matches in Puglia.
In a move promoting social awareness, both teams will take the pitch sporting red marks on their faces as part of the ‘A Red Card to Violence’ campaign, advocating against physical and psychological abuse towards women. Lazio has announced an additional initiative where players will don special jerseys featuring the names of women from their families, such as grandmothers, mothers, wives, partners, sisters, or daughters.
While the presence of fans is uncertain, a recent contest to name the club’s new eagle has seen a surge in engagement, with over 46,000 votes cast. The name “Flaminia” emerged as the clear favorite, significantly outpacing other options like “Olympia” and “Vittoria.” This new majestic symbol will be introduced during a ceremony at midfield before the warm-up, along with the new falconer, Giacomo Garruto. The eagle, named after the Roman priest associated with the sacred fire, will replace Olympia, marking a notable transition for the club.
Despite the expected low attendance and the muted atmosphere, the focus on promoting important social issues and the excitement of introducing a new club symbol may bring a positive spin to the match day experience.