After consecutive 7th place finishes, followed by an inexcusable 9th place last season, Gennaro Gattuso has revitalised this Lazio side into a balanced, free-flowing and competitive outfit that currently sit atop the Serie A table!
A Club that Lost it’s Way…
The past decade of Lazio football has been a frustration for many: despite 3 cup wins and many more runners-up medals, the historic Italian side has been ripped to pieces by its ownership and on-field performances have represented this. A huge lack of investment and ambition has led to boycotted home fixtures from core fan groups and an unfavourable reputation as a mid-table side in recent years. An astronomical deviation from the glory days of Sebastian Veron and Alessandro Nesta…
Lazio fans absent from their home stadium, in protest of their owners and their mistreatment of the club.
Source: BBC Sport
“Fans are boycotting and not coming to games, but never as bad as this particular moment.”
Many clubs have gripes and quarrels with their ownership, particularly in the modern age where wealthy businesses and money-hungry individuals can squeeze profits out of sports and throw the rest away. No flurry of positive results and temporary table-climbs can shake the fans views on those above, however the results that fans of Le Aquile (The Eagles) are currently seeing are bound to put a smile on their faces. Gattuso’s new side have made an unbeaten start to the league campaign, winning 8 and drawing 1. As of writing, they sit top of the table on 25 points, displaying superb team performances that are alien to the modern Lazio fan.
What Makes Lazio Scudetto Challengers?
This squad has lost plenty of key players through the years:
Ciro Immobile was a consistent goalscorer, who’s 4-time Capocannoniere (Serie A Golden Boot) winning ability could not be replaced.
Luis Alberto provided intricacy in possession, with superior awareness and vision to most. A graceful footballer that orchestrated much of Simone Inzaghi’s attacking play.
Sergej Milinković-Savić, nicknamed ‘Il Sergente’, was an overpowering force in the midfield, offering tenacity out-of-possession but a genuine goalscoring threat with the ball at his feet.
…but despite a real lack of investment to replace these names, the team has come together in an astonishing way. Many tipped Lazio to maintain their disappointing mid-table standards in the 26/27 season, however Gattuso has silenced the wider Serie A viewership already!
A versatile, yet simple lineup that has proven difficult to score against, whilst creating plenty of their own chances. The ex-Italy manager has looked to facilitate his best players, whilst creating a new togetherness across the squad.
Lazio’s Creative Left-Flank
The wider football community has always known Lazio for having key performers that, at times, can dictate a result. Keeping to this theme, the current operatives on the left-side of the pitch are a phenomenal watch!
Nuno Tavares (left) has occupied the left fullback spot for Le Aquile in several consecutive years, after his failed move to Arsenal eventually brought him to Italy. Whilst Tavares has never shone in defensive situations, his attacking output cannot be overlooked. In his debut season for the club, he registered 8 league assists. The Portuguese continues to deliver with a goal and 3 assists in just 8 starts this season, including an excellent cross-field ball to Gustav Isaksen in his side’s 3-0 thrashing of Juventus in GW 7.
It clearly helps Tavares to have an experienced, devastating force to combine with: Mattia Zaccagni (right) has become modern-day Lazio’s undisputed talisman and captain over recent years. The versatile Italian operates in a free position on Tavares’ side, dictating play in an advanced position. This combines perfectly with his left-back, who can bomb forward and provide greater width and excellent delivery in key moments. Zaccagni himself is a beautiful footballer who has become overlooked across the wider European football world, whilst Serie A fans know exactly how good he is when he’s on-form.
Christos Mandas Claims No. 1
After Ivan Provedel’s 25/26 season ended early to allow for much-needed shoulder surgery, Inter Milan scooped up the recovering goalkeeper for €3 million. Gattuso chose to trust his internal solutions, giving Greek shot-stopper Christos Mandas the opportunity to prove himself between the sticks, even blocking summer offers from Juventus. It’s safe to say that the manager’s trust has been repayed, as Mandas has delivered top-quality performances across his opening 8 games.
Source: Sofascore Ratings
Level-Heads and Togetherness…
“When you win, everything is easier. But when you take heavy blows in life, you mustn’t forget it... We haven’t taken a punch to the jaw yet, let’s see when we do. We have to do well in the negative moments that will come.”
Despite a stunning 6-2 win over Sassuolo, new boss Gattuso has kept the club’s recent troubles at the front of his mind, even going as far as to claim that “We frankly don't really belong up there [at the top of the table]” in an interview with Sky Sports Italia. The retired midfielder was a stern, harsh footballer with standards of the highest calibre. Whilst his time in charge of the national team was ultimately a failure, it would be foolish to ignore his clear qualities as a manager.
Gattuso’s side lack the ‘big-names’ and star quality of some of their domestic rivals, however their newfound team spirit and attacking versatility creates a greater challenge for their opponents. Lazio have notably had 12 different scorers this season, with 5 headers, plenty of strikes from the edge of the box and a great deal of cut-backs. It’s clear to see that the players are buying into this new era, reaping the benefits in every way possible.
