Stadio Olimpico Deserted Again as Lazio Fan Groups Announce Boycott vs Atalanta | OneFootball

Lazio are preparing to lock horns with Atalanta on Saturday evening, but the atmosphere at the Stadio Olimpico will be dampened by the ongoing fan protest.

The Background

The organized fan groups have waged what they have described as a ‘civilized’ war on Claudio Lotito and his regime after being irritated with the way the club has been run, especially in recent years. Therefore, the supporters are doing everything within their power to prompt the increasingly unpopular president to sell the club.

The Stadio Olimpico during Lazio vs Genoa (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

A couple of weeks ago, the Curva Nord ultras kick-started a protest against the patron by abandoning their seats at the Stadio Olimpico for the Serie A clash against Genoa. They had also urged the rest of the fanbase to join the movement. Their calls paid dividends, as only 4,000 people attended the contest which ended in a 3-2 win for the Biancocelesti.

Lazio Organized Groups Won’t Attend Atalanta Clash

In recent days, Maurizio Sarri has been trying to mediate between the two parties, but the head coach’s pleas have fallen on deaf ears, as the Lazio organized supporters declared their intention to continue their protest when the team hosts Atalanta on Saturday. The fan groups’ representatives explained their stance to Radio Laziale (via Il Corriere dello Sport).

The Coppa Italia Conundrum

The Roman newspaper notes that the fan groups will soon face a major dilemma when Lazio host Atalanta in the first leg of the Coppa Italia semi-final on March 4, as it will be a crucial fixture for the club’s campaign. It remains to be seen if they will decide to make an exception for this particular clash.