Lazio, travelling for the shirt

Lazio lead Serie A but play in an empty Stadio Olimpico due to fan protests against owner Lotito, forcing them to find strength away from home.

Lazio sit atop Serie A but face an unprecedented crisis: their own supporters have staged a boycott of the Stadio Olimpico in protest against owner Claudio Lotito, leaving the club to play at home in near-silence. The fans have severed their emotional connection with the club's ownership, refusing to spend money that would benefit Lotito, though their commitment to Lazio itself remains intact.

Manager Gattuso has adapted to this surreal situation, turning what should be a home advantage into a liability. Paradoxically, Lazio have performed better away from Rome, winning all their away matches so far. The club now travels to Sassuolo's stadium where 10,000 Lazio supporters will create an atmosphere the team cannot find at the Olimpico.

The situation represents one of Italian football's most complex standoffs between supporters and ownership. Whether Lazio can sustain their title challenge while playing in a deserted home stadium remains uncertain, but their away form suggests they may prove more formidable on the road than at home.