Lazio Defender Turned Down Juventus Before Signing for Biancocelesti

Juventus and Lazio are about to square off in a mouth-watering Serie A fixture at the Allianz Stadium. As ever, the media is trying to add more hype to the contest by leaking information about the club’s off-field battles in the past.

One such took place in the summer of 2022 when Lazio defeated Juventus to the signature of ex-Milan captain Alessio Romagnoli. According to Corriere dello Sport via LazioNews24, the 28-year-old defender turned down a bid from Bianconeri to pledge his future to the Stadio Olimpico. 

Romangoli severed ties with Milan last year after several turbulent campaigns at San Siro. He spent seven years in Lombardy and was part of Stefano Pioli’s squad to lift the Scudetto in 2021/22. But he left the club shortly after, having been deemed surplus to requirements by the Rossoneri chief of staff.

Juventus saw the window of opportunity and tried to snap Romagnoli’s services. But their offer fell on the Italian center-back’s deaf ears as he wanted to fulfill his childhood dream of playing for Lazio. It proved a massive hit as he immediately imposed himself as one of the most influential figures in Rome.

Lazio boss Maurizio Sarri has handed Romagnoli 42 appearances across all competitions in his debut season at the Olimpico. Following an injury-riddled final year at Milan, the left-footed defender regained full fitness in the capital, establishing himself as one of the crucial cogs in the club’s unexpected runner-up finish in 2022/23.