Lazio-Milan Draw Highlights Ongoing Fan Boycott Over Owner Claudio Lotito

On Saturday’s Serie A clash, AC Milan recovered from a two-goal deficit to finish 2-2 with Lazio. Lazio led 2-0 at halftime through goals by Matteo Cancellieri (10’) and Tijjani Noslin (39’). In the second half, Milan substitute Diego Moreira scored twice (65’, 67’) to level the match. The result left Lazio on ten points at the top of the table, one point ahead of Roma.

AC Milan hold Lazio to 2-2 draw in Serie A The GuardianGennaro Gattuso reacts to Lazio stadium boycott in Milan draw – “Like the COVID era” 'Like the COVID period' - Gennaro Gattuso fumes at empty Lazio stadium during fan boycott

The match was played in a largely empty Stadio Olimpico as supporters continued a boycott against club president Claudio Lotito. Fans gathered outside the Formello training ground, escorted the team bus to the Ponte Milvio bridge, and many chose to watch the match in pubs or from home rather than enter the stadium.

Gennaro Gattuso reacts to Lazio stadium boycott in Milan draw – “Like the COVID era”

Claudio Lotito has owned Lazio for more than two decades and is also a senator elected in 2022. Supporters have repeatedly protested his management style. His broader football interests include past ownership of Salernitana and a recent takeover of fourth-tier Reggina. Lazio’s transfer activity this summer was constrained by a liquidity-related embargo imposed by the Italian Football Federation.

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• Final score: AC Milan 2 – 2 Lazio.

AC Milan hold Lazio to 2-2 draw in Serie A

• Half-time lead: Lazio 2 – 0 Milan.

AC Milan hold Lazio to 2-2 draw in Serie A

• Attendance: “nearly empty” stands; last season’s home game against Milan drew 50,000 spectators.

'Like the COVID period' - Gennaro Gattuso fumes at empty Lazio stadium during fan boycott

• Season-ticket sales have fallen from close to 30,000 last year to fewer than 4,500 this season (Calcio e Finanza).

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• Transfer activity after embargo lift: free-transfer centre-back Danilho Doekhi; loan signings Albert Gudmundsson and Davide Frattesi (€5 million loan fee, €10 million purchase option).

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Lotito thanked supporters who met the team at Formello and emphasized the need for “serious and dignified performances.” He denied allegations that he prevented Paparelli’s niece from walking onto the pitch, attributing the situation to organized-support representatives.

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Supporters formed a convoy of mopeds to escort the team bus to the Ponte Milvio bridge, where they gathered before the match. A statement from supporters’ groups announced plans to watch the game in pubs or at home, underscoring the protest’s peaceful nature. Inside the Olimpico, the travelling Milan fan base provided most of the noise, creating an atmosphere the Lazio players described as “like an away fixture.”

The Guardian

• “Maybe with our fans here we would have managed to hold out,” — Mattia Zaccagni

The Guardian

• “We can do little about the situation in the stands. If they came to meet us at Formello, that is down to the lads. We have to keep being serious and putting in dignified performances,” — Gennaro Gattuso, Lazio head coach

Gennaro Gattuso reacts to Lazio stadium boycott in Milan draw – “Like the COVID era”