Daniel Maldini Continues to Misfire: What Are Lazio’s Striking Options?

The tunnel lights at the Stadio Olimpico cast long shadows, and Daniel Maldini knows one of them belongs to his father – not literally, but it might as well. Every touch gets measured against iconic father Paolo, against grandfather Cesare before him, against 50 years of defensive perfection that has nothing to do with what Daniel actually does on a pitch.

Both those two turned out at the Olimpico in the blue of the Italian national team as opposed to the sky blue of Lazio. For young Daniel, however, it is the sky blue of the Eagles that he now represents. And it is precisely because of the lofty expectations that he left AC Milan in the first place, firstly for neighbours Atalanta, before now making his way to the Eternal City.

However, much like in the San Siro, he continues to struggle with those expectations, primarily due to new manager Maurizio Sarri’s insistence that he must play as a false nine, instead of his favoured spot on the left wing.

Taty Castellanos’ Departure Forces Maurizio Sarri’s Hand

The departure of Taty Castellanos to West Ham United has left Lazio woefully short of options up front. Nearly every supporter agrees with the decision to allow the Argentinian to leave the Olimpico; the €29m was simply too good to turn down. But now, the Eagles are suffering on the pitch.

Sarri remains convinced that Daniel’s technique and physicality suit the false nine role, despite zero goals in 425 Serie A minutes this season. Against Atalanta – ironically, his parent club on loan – Daniel held up play, laid off for Kenneth Taylor, and created half-chances. But all of that counts for nothing when you’re losing 2-0 at home and giving up further ground in the race for a European place this season. The defeat leaves Lazio seven points adrift of the victorious Bergamo outfit for a spot in Serie A’s top six.

Lazio’s European Hopes Hang by a Thread

Online betting sites are now convinced that Sarri’s side is almost certainly out of Champions League contention; there is little doubt. The latest betting odds list them as a whopping 100/1 outsider to finish in the top four this term, with a popular online betting tool showing just how slim a chance they have of closing the gap to the Serie A pace setters.

As one can see from the tool, those odds represent a less than 1% chance of finishing in the top four. The top six is similarly unlikely, and for supporters, it’s clear that the Maldini experiment isn’t yet working. 

One assist, no goals, a 6.77 average WhoScored rating. The false nine demands he occupy centre-backs while drifting deep – contradictory instructions that expose his in-between status. He’s a playmaking attacker forced into striker duties because Sarri sees something others don’t. Or, because the maverick Italian simply doesn’t have any other options.

So, if the Maldini gamble isn’t working, what options does Sarri have if he wishes to inject some sorely needed goals into this Lazio side? Let’s take a look.

New Signing Petar Ratkov Failing to Impress Maurizio Sarri

Right – Petar Ratkov. The €13m January signing was supposed to replace Castellanos after West Ham came calling. The 22-year-old Serbian hit 12 goals in 29 appearances for Salzburg before arriving. On paper, he’s exactly what Lazio needs – a young, physical striker with a nose for goal and room to develop under Sarri.

In practice? He’s played 154 Serie A minutes with zero goals, zero assists, and, truth be told, made zero impression. Here’s the problem: Sarri admitted straight-up he didn’t know anything about Ratkov when the transfer was finalised. The Lazio brass identified him, pushed the deal through during the January window when Lazio desperately needed bodies, and Sarri essentially shrugged and said, “People at the club know him better than I do.” That’s not exactly a ringing endorsement from your head coach.

So you’ve got a 22-year-old striker adjusting to Serie A’s defensive intensity, learning a new language, trying to understand Sarri’s positional demands, and doing it all without his manager’s full confidence. No wonder he’s stuck on the bench while Sarri experiments with Maldini as a false nine instead. His contract runs until 2030 – Lazio clearly sees him as a long-term project. But right now, in February, when results matter and top-six qualification’s slipping away? If Maldini doesn’t start firing soon, they will have to turn to the big money signing, and in turn, the Serbian striker will have to reward his manager’s show of faith… should it ever come.

Will Boulaye Dia Get Another Chance?

Boulaye Dia has started eleven games this season, yet somehow he’s still managed just one goal. There’s no doubt he has the work rate, but he simply hasn’t showcased an ability to find the back of the net with any kind of regularity. As such, it was no surprise when he lost his place in the starting eleven back in December, and with the one game he has started since returning from the African Cup of Nations ending in a 0-0 draw against lowly Lecce, it’s a hard sell to the Lazio faithful that he is the answer to their current striking woes.

The 29-year-old Senegalese international brings pressing intensity and tactical intelligence that Sarri supposedly values. He’ll run channels, drop deep to link play, chase lost causes until the 90th minute – everything you want from a modern forward in Sarrismo’s relentless positional system. He’s not flashy. Won’t sell shirts. But he makes teammates better by creating space through selfless movement, something Maldini’s still learning. 

But it’s all well and good doing all of that if none of your teammates can score goals either. If they don’t, then it’s the striker’s job to score goals, regardless of positional play. Dia can’t do that. Or at least, he hasn’t this season. Sarri turning to him could draw the ire of the Olimpico faithful even more.