Why Lazio Is Serie A's Feel-Good Story of the Season

Lazio was in a mess as recently as 2010, but since then the club has been patiently building its squad and has become a contender for a Champions League spot.

The Biancocelesti have been overshadowed by some of the bigger teams, but they are the feel-good story of the season.

Despite being in fourth place, just two points behind third, Lazio is hiding in the shadow of Juventus, Roma and the struggles of the two Milanese clubs. The Roman side's most recent victory came against AC Milan on Saturday, which has sprung the Biancazzurri closer to the spotlight.

The exploits of Felipe Anderson have been one of many highlights. The Brazilian was purchased last summer from Santos for a fee of around €9 million, according to Nadio Carminati of Sky Sports. However, he failed to make an impact in 20 appearances in all competitions during the 2013/14 season.

This year has been Anderson's breakthrough. He has scored five goals, recording five assists in 16 league games, via WhoScored.com. He's more than just a goalscorer and playmaker. The Brazilian is tremendously quick and has incredible technique.

Marco Vasini/Associated Press

However, Anderson suffered a sprained knee and will be out until February, per Football Italia. The positive is that Lazio looked just fine without him against Milan. Stefano Mauri and Antonio Candreva were excellent on the flanks alongside Miroslav Klose.

On the other hand, Milan has performed terribly this year. Lazio's next two opponents in Serie A are Cesena and Genoa, who is just six points behind the Biancocelesti with a game in hand. If Anderson still isn't fit for that match, it will be a real test for the Romans.

However, it appears as if the team will be fine without its Brazilian star. The bigger blow is the loss of its top scorer Filip Djordjevic. The striker was initially set to miss several months of action, according to the club (h/t FIFA.com). David Amoyal of GianlucaDiMarzio.com claims that the injury may not be that bad:

Djordjevic is tied for the team lead with Mauri at seven goals apiece. The latter is capable of leading the line or playing out wide, while Miroslav Klose can still start. The downside is that Klose eventually wears out and has to be substituted.

Coach Stefano Pioli has a few options now that Djordjevic is injured. Whether Lazio qualifies for the Champions League without the inspirational forward is unknown.

Lazio has scored 36 goals this season, second only to league leaders Juventus' 44. Shockingly enough, both teams have averaged the fewest shots per game, according to WhoScored.com. It will be harder for the capital club to keep up this pace without Djordjevic and Anderson for the time being.

However, Lazio also averages the highest amount of tackles at 21.1 per game and the fourth-most interceptions, according to WhoScored. This is due in large part to centre-back Stefan de Vrij, one of the team's signings from the previous summer.

Gregorio Borgia/Associated Press

De Vrij completes about 3.5 interceptions per game and 1.7 tackles, according to WhoScored. The Dutchman initially struggled, but he's recovered and has become a defensive stalwart. Goalkeeper Federico Marchetti has also performed brilliantly after a mediocre 2013/14 season.

It's hard not to pull for Lazio to qualify for the Champions League. It's an exciting, counterattacking team with a solid defence. If club president Claudio Lotito wasn't a controversial figure with his own supporters, the Aquile would not have any flaws.

However, when it comes to the performances on the pitch, Lazio is a team that every neutral would love to have finish in the top three of Serie A this season.