A team of write-offs in pursuit of justice

We often hear the popular phrase that "one man's trash is another man's treasure," but rarely do we see an example of it in real life, let alone in football, if there's even a difference between the two terms. Still, if there ever was a perfect chance to relate this saying to a football club, there is now, thanks to Lazio.

One of the two Roman giants currently sit in the fifth Serie A spot, only three points behind the leaders, Inter Milan, with only one defeat in the last six domestic games. And even that one was pretty unfortunate, given that Juventus broke the deadlock in the 85th minute through Mario Gila's own goal for the 1-0 triumph.

Speaking of Lazio's performances in the UEFA Europa League, only one word comes to mind as an ideal description - dominance. Namely, Ie Aquile currently top the UEL table as the only side (out of 36) with the maximum 12 points after four rounds and the goal difference of 11-2! But what's, apart from terrific results, so special about Lazio, one might wonder. Well, they are a team of write-offs, a team of rejects, a team of those who apparently were not good enough for the "elite clubs." Gathered in Rome, that "vengeful horde" has begun its quest of proving to everyone just how wrong they have been.

Nuno Tavares was loaned to Lazio by Arsenal in his third loan since he arrived in London three years ago. So far, the Portuguese recorded eight assists in as many Serie A matches, causing the Gunners' management to think thoroughly about whether they might have made a terrible mistake.

Former AC Milan captain, Alessio Romagnoli, was "chased away" from San Siro after seven years and 247 appearances, only to become Lazio's "defence commander," while a similar thing happened to the Uruguayan Matias Vecino, who was written off in the blue and black part of the Capital of Fashion. Yet, the 33-year-old became the motor of Ie Aquile's midfield and a pivotal cog in Marco Baroni's machinery.

Vecino's midfield partner, Matteo Guendouzi, is another Arsenal write-off who found his luck in Rome. Still, his path was a bit different than Tavares', given that the Frenchman spent three years with Olympique Marseille after a bunch of loans the Gunners sent him on before finding his place in the sun at Stadio Olimpico.

Let the man yawn! Lazio's president falls asleep in the parliament

And finally, what should we say about Pedro? Part of one of the greatest Barcelona generations, he was always in the shadow of the MSN trio of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, and Neymar, and still managed to net some crucial goals and make a name for himself. The episodes with Chelsea and Roma were nowhere near successful, so everyone thought his move to Lazio was a desperate move of a Giallorossi traitor and the ultimate station in his career. Oh, were they wrong! At 37, Pedro is playing as if he got out of La Masia yesterday, scoring six times in 11 appearances this season, including the 92nd-minute winner against Porto last night.

Combined with Lazio's "natives" like Elseid Hysaj, Patric, Adam Marusic, Manuel Lazzari, and Mattia Zaccagni and reinforced with additions such as Samuel Gigot, Luca Pellegrini, Boulaye Dia, and Loum Tchaouna, this crew has stunned Europe, and hopefully, it'll continue doing so. Because football needs stories like Lazio's, and every write-off deserves another chance.

SERIE A ROUND 12

Thursday

Genoa - Como 1-1 (0-1)

/Vogliacco 90+1 - Cunha 17/

Friday

Fri 22:45: (2.45) Lecce (3.15) Empoli (3.30)

Saturday

Sat 17:00: (2.55) Venezia (3.35) Parma (2.75)

Sat 20:00: (5.80) Cagliari (3.90) Milan (1.60)

Sat 22:45: (1.57) Juventus (3.70) Torino (7.00)

Sunday

Sun 14:30: (1.40) Atalanta (5.25) Udinese (8.00)

Sun 17:00: (1.45) Fiorentina (4.40) Verona (7.50)

Sun 17:00: (2.15) Roma (3.35) Bologna (3.80)

Sun 20:00: (4.50) Monza (3.50) Lazio (1.83)

Sun 22:45: (1.95) Inter (3.60) Napoli (4.20)

***odds are subject to change***