Maurizio Sarri’s Lazio 2023/24: Evaluating their in-possession approach and where they need to improve – scout report

After finishing last season as the runner-up in Serie A, Lazio didnt have the greatest start to the current season, being in the second half of the table with six losses already out of thirteen games.

Even so, they secured their qualification spot in the UEFA Champions League with the chance to lead the group if they succeeded in beating Atlético Madrid during the last group stage game week.

Our tactical analysis and scout report will provide an analysis of Lazios principles, tactics and ideas in possession. Lets start with their build-up phase.

Build-up phase

Against Fiorentina, Maurizio Sarris side started on a 4-3-3 shape during the build-up, a back four of Manuel Lazzari, Patric, Alessio Romagnoli and Adam Marušić.

Along with Nicolò Rovella as the defensive midfielder, Matteo Guendouzi is closer to him than Luis Alberto, who is in a more advanced position.

They faced a 4-4-2 high pressing from the opposition, as shown below; during that game, Lazio relied on Alberto mainly to be their primary outlet of the ball.

Vincenzo Italianos side had  Giacomo Bonaventura join Lucas Beltrán in pressing the two centre-backs. At the same time, their wingers mark Lazios full-backs, leaving Alfred Duncan and Arthur Melo to press Guendouzi and Rovella.

Marušić here passed the ball towards Alberto (shadowed), who can receive in behind the oppositions midfield line.

Here is Fiorentinas centre-back Mart