Perhaps their season began to unravel on the second outing of the season. Beleaguered after their midweek Champions League exit to Bayer Leverkusen four days earlier, Lazio suffered an ignominious 4-0 reverse against Chievo at the Stade Bentegodi; a result which, in retrospect, has shaped the first-half of their domestic campaign.
Overview
The Lazio Ultras are historically vociferous in their support and it was perhaps their gesture last month, where they dumped ten bags of manure outside the Biancocelesti's training facility in protest against both the side's flailing league form and owner Claudio Lotito's lack of ambition, that has embodied the opening half of Lazio's season.
Few could have prophesied the current paralysis after the season's curtain-raiser with newly-promoted Bologna. Stefano Pioli's side moved with the attacking zest that had characterised their historic campaign last time out and, thanks to goals from Lucas Biglia and Ricardo Kishna, began the season with an emphatic win.
What has followed, though, has left the side in a parlous state in mid-table. The aforementioned 4-0 defeat in Verona was quickly compounded with a harrowing 5-0 loss against a Napoli side who were, at the time, struggling for form. Sandwiched between those losses was an Alessandro Matri inspired victory over Udinese. The Italian rose from the bench to salvage all three points for the Biancocelesti after the Zebrette had provided a stern obstacle in a rain-soaked September evening.
Maximum points were collected from their next three outings, but notable was the quality of the opponent. Lazio's slide has been rivalled by only Genoa, whom they swatted aside in September, this campaign, while a late Marco Parolo free-kick spared Pioli's blushes against Verona -- a side winless all season and currently propping up the table.
Their home form remained unblemished until Milan visited on 1 November. That result followed a midweek defeat in Bergamo, where Lazio had ceded only one shot on goal yet contrived to lose 2-1 after Biglia's fine free-kick.
Thereafter, Lazio's woes have inflamed, with the side embarking on a seven game league winless run arrested only by a shock victory at the home of the league leaders Inter prior to the winter break.
Victory at the Giuseppe Meazza may have saved Pioli's position as head coach, with the side, aided, of course, by the impetuous of Felipe Melo, exhibiting the flair and assurance scarcely seen in previous defeats to Roma, Empoli and Juventus.
Star performer
Impressive performances have been fitful for Lazio, though Biglia, who assumed the role of captaincy after Stefano Mauri's ostracisation, has underlined his importance to the cause.
When the Argentine plays well, Lazio tend to play well and the midfielder yielded perhaps his most imperious display of the season during their win over Inter.
Biglia's confidence appeared shot during his side's dismal run of form but he has begun to show signs of life alongside Parolo in midfield, which, with a trip to Florence on the horizon, can only augur well for Pioli.
Disappointment
Take your pick. Mauricio's error-strewn nature shows little sign of ebbing. Parolo, after netting double digits last term, has found the net only once. Felipe Anderson has failed to replicate the devastating form of last season. Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, after steering Serbia to U20 World Cup success over the summer, has flattered to deceive. But it has been Antonio Candreva, overlooked for captaincy in the summer, who has disappointed the most.
Many have, perhaps justifiably, ascribed the decision to grant Biglia the captains armband, overlooking the Italian's significance since his arrival in 2012, as grounds for his sharp decline in performances.
Before his brace against Inter, the ex-Udinese man had netted only once all season -- against Palermo from the penalty-spot -- and had yet to to contribute a goal or an assist from open-play.
That was in spite of Candreva's impressive displays for the Azzurri, where he netted the opening goal against Belgium in a 3-1 defeat, and the constant links with a January move to pace-setters Inter.
His two-goal haul in Milan earlier this month may only augment his value in the Nerazzurri's eyes, but the league leaders would do well to heed the Italian's struggles this term. He may be receiving the ball as much as he did last season, but his crosses, nominally unerring, have been wasteful while his potency in the final-third has waned considerably.
Perhaps his showing against Inter, where he notched his first goal from open-play with a ferocious effort from the edge of the area, is a forecast for the remainder of the campaign.
Manager
Sympathy has been scant supply for Pioli. The coach has been spared the wrath of the Lazio fraternity while they direct their attentions towards Claudio Lotito -- "the dream thief" as he is commonly referenced in the blue side of the capital -- but several of the manager's decision have been awry.
The seemingly steadfast loyalty to Mauricio has been questionable. The Brazilian's performances have been littered by errors and remains the only player in Europe to be dismissed in the league, Champions League and Europa League this season. Wesley Hoedt, though liable to the occasional mishap himself, has been conspicuously underused since his summer arrival.
The Italian, however, has been hindered by the taxing two-game per-week schedule. Pioli demands his side press with intent which, in turn, leaves his side susceptible to bouts of fatigue.
Looking ahead
Lotito, despite his reluctance to strengthen in the summer, may be forced to dip into his pockets to address frangible backline while the 58-year-old must ward off interest from Inter -- and others, presumably -- for Candreva.
The Biancocelesti resume domestic matters with a home clash with lowly Carpi but their revival will be truly assessed with trips to Florence and Bologna in successive weeks.
Doubts over Pioli's future should have been dashed with the win over Inter -- and progression through to the last eight of the Coppa Italia -- but the Italian will continue to be undermined by the absence of a bona fide goal-getter.
Filip Djordevic has been shredded by injuries while neither Matri, though impressive in recent weeks, or Miroslav Klose have the capacity to shoulder the goalscoring burden.
Luring Eder, already in double figures for the campaign, from Sampdoria may be an option diced with by the Lazio hierarchy.
Reinforcing the flimsy backline should also be considered with De Vrij sidelined for the foreseeable futurre. The board would do well to procure Nicolas N'Koulou from a languishing Marseille outfit.
Nevertheless, should Pioli procure the reliable goalscorer he covets, and is able to coax the best from Candreva and Felipe Anderson, the Biancocelesti may be able to salvage their sinking season.