Ballotta: "Lazio Are Having A Solid Season. In This Sport, Everything Is Judged By Results. One Win Or One Loss Can Completely Change The Narrative. There’s Still A Long Way To Go, But The Team Looks Focused And Together."

Former Lazio goalkeeper Marco Ballotta has offered a comprehensive assessment of the Biancoceleste's season in an interview with news.superscommesse.it. Touching on key talking points, Ballotta reflected on the recent win over Atalanta, the rise of Gustav Isaksen, the goalkeeping rotation between Ivan Provedel and Christos Mandas, the looming derby, and Marco Baroni’s work on the bench.

Ballotta began by praising the team’s overall campaign, despite a mid-season slump:

"Lazio are having a solid season. They went through a rough patch where results weren’t coming, but the team’s unity eventually shone through. The win over Atalanta was crucial—not only because it was a direct showdown with a rival but also because it helped dispel some of the negativity that had been building around Baroni and the squad."

He emphasized how quickly public opinion can shift in football:

"In this sport, everything is judged by results. One win or one loss can completely change the narrative. This victory not only silenced some critics but also kept Lazio within striking distance of a Champions League spot. There’s still a long way to go, but the team looks focused and together."

Turning to standout performers, Ballotta highlighted Isaksen’s growing influence:

"Isaksen might turn out to be Lazio’s surprise package. He’s scored key goals and seems capable of doing more. That said, I believe Lazio’s real strength lies in the collective—there isn’t just one standout, but rather a group of solid players who are building a strong team identity."

He also noted the impact of Castellanos’ absence:

"Castellanos has been missed. His injury forced Baroni to rethink some tactical solutions, and it's evident how important he is to the squad. Lazio’s roster isn’t as deep as some of their rivals, so missing a few top players can make a big difference."

Regarding the goalkeeper situation, Ballotta gave credit to both Provedel and Mandas:

"Lazio are fortunate to have two quality goalkeepers. Provedel hasn’t quite matched last season’s form—he’s made a few mistakes—but he’s also been crucial in many moments. Given the team’s busy schedule, rotation between the posts is essential, and luckily, there’s no big drop-off in quality between the two."

Finally, he praised Marco Baroni’s growth in his first season at a major club:

"Baroni has done a commendable job. He faced several early hurdles—not least managing a team of this caliber for the first time. With many new signings, it took time to build chemistry, but key players have stepped up, and results have followed. Lazio’s current form is a reflection of that steady progress."