There has been some speculation that Lazio fans could return to the Stadio Olimpico in their droves for Saturday’s game against AC Milan.
As ANSA (via MilanNews) write, Lazio are currently joint-top of the table, but without fans to cheer the team on, at least at home. This is the paradox facing Gennaro Gattuso’s side, who are up there with Roma and Inter on three wins from three after Monday night’s comeback versus Udinese.
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The Biancocelesti are perhaps the big surprise so far this season, all after a Coppa Italia exit to Mantova at the round of 64 stage too. Yet, Lazio are likely to keep playing in front of just a few thousand home fans for a while longer yet.
The report adds that the protest will continue regardless because – as the organised fans repeatedly emphasised – the decision to stop showing up to the Stadio Olimpico wasn’t driven by league position or the team’s performance, but by a desire to demonstrate dissent against the club and its owners.
This is why 2,000 fans were there in Udine, while against Milan – barring last-minute changes of heart, which seems unlikely at the moment – the stands will still be largely empty. Last season there was a boycott too, but they abandoned it for the 1-0 win for the capital side against the Rossoneri.
The appeals from Fabiani first and then Gattuso are useless because, as the coach himself admitted after the Udine match, “the fans are consistent, they won’t change their minds.” For now, not even with first place in the table is enough.
They are not consistent, consistency means no leniency at all, relentless protests, no room for compromise, zero tolerance.