GdS: Sarri prepares ‘cautious approach’ for Lazio against Milan – the reasons

Maurizio Sarri is expected to field a team that perhaps won’t embody as much ‘Sarrismo’ as we have become used to against Milan, instead shifting to a more cautious approach. 

As opposed to Milan, who have exceeded expectations a lot with their 60 points, it has been a disappointing season for Lazio so far. They are in 10th place with just 37 points (almost half of the Rossoneri) and thus need as many points as they can get.

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Against Milan tomorrow, as Gazzetta dello Sport highlights (see photo bottom), it will be a Lazio focused on making the Rossoneri less cheerful. Indeed, instead of neat passing and aggressive pressing, the Biancocelesti will have a more cautious approach.

Heavy absences to deal with

However, this tactical shift isn’t because Sarri wants to change things up, but rather because he has been somewhat forced into it. Once again, as has happened so many times this season, he’s having to deal with an emergency injury-wise (six players out).

The absences mainyl concern the midfield department as both playmakers, namely Danilo Cataldi and Nicolo Rovella, have been ruled out for the game. Furthermore, the natural replacement Toma Basic is available but not fully fit to start, while Ivan Provedel and Alessio Romagnoli are also out.

With a full squad, Laziocould have faced Milan without fear, just like they did in the Round of 16 of the Coppa Italia on December 4. They won that game by the odd goal and proved that they can make life difficult for the Rossoneri, but now the situation is different.

Patric in midfield

As said, it will thus be a more cautious approach for Lazio tomorrow, although this doesn’t mean completely giving up any ambitions to play the game. That said, the midfield line will be a little lower than usual as the defender Patric is expected to be the holding midfielder.

Sarri will ask him to break up the opposition’s play rather than set up the play when in possession (even though the Spaniard has good feet). In effect, Patric will be a midfielder in front of the defence, almost an extra defender.

The midfielder Kenneth Taylor will organise the play, with the freedom to move inside, thus forcing Mattia Zaccagni to drop back a bit and participate in the build-up play. That seems to be Sarri’s plan for tomorrow, but maybe he will surprise everyone and launch an assault on Milan anyway.