Unfortunately for Lazio supporters all over the world, they had almost forgotten what a magical night at the Stadio Olimpico feels like. This has been the traumatic effect of one of the most troublesome seasons in the club’s history.
But for one night (and one night only), all the uninspiring displays, poor results, refereeing injustices, and the empty stadium scenes felt like a distant memory.
For one night (and one night only), Lazio fans witnessed the Lazio of old, as an inspired band of enthusiastic young men fought as if their lives were on the line at a vibrant stadium packed with adoring fans. And for a change, even the officiating was on cue.
For one night (and one night only), Lazio looked like a team fighting for the biggest honors. An observer who’s not aware of the Serie A standings could have easily mistaken the Biancocelesti for the title contender, and AC Milan as the one wandering in mid-table mediocrity.
Thanks to Gustav Isaksen’s first-half strike, the Aquile sent 50,000 supporters home happy, even though the result won’t have a dramatic effect on their position in the league, as they remain too far behind to compete for European spots.
Nevertheless, the action, on and off the pitch, gave us several interesting topics to discuss, including the following three.
Ivan Provedel Dearly Missed
First things first, Edoardo Motta deserves the plaudits for the excellent saves he produced on Sunday evening. The inexperienced 21-year-old is only accustomed to Serie B fixtures, and had made his Lazio bow the previous weekend against Sassuolo at a virtually empty stadium.
Therefore, taking on Rafael Leao and Co. at packed Olimpico was certainly an enormous step-up for the former Reggiana man, who managed to pass the test and come away with a deserved clean sheet.
However, Motta also displayed a major weakness in his game.
“I hope he doesn’t cost us”, said an honest-to-a-fault Maurizio Sarri in his post-match interviews when discussing the youngster’s poor distribution skills.
Whenever he received the ball, Motta looked as if he had a bomb at his feet. At one stage, Adam Marusic was dispossessed in a dangerous area, because he fancied dribbling past two opponents rather than trusting his young goalkeeper with the pass.
Player Ratings: Lazio 1-0 AC Milan – Diavolo Can’t Handle Speedy Isaksen
Sadly for Lazio, it took a season-ending injury for fans and observers to truly appreciate the value of Ivan Provedel, who wasn’t only excellent at preventing goals this season, but is also calm and collected on the ball, a trait that is absolutely crucial for modern-day goalkeepers, especially in Sarri’s system.
Patric is Not a Long-Term Solution for Regista Emergency
Like Motta, Patric also deserves major props for filling in the role of the deep-lying playmaker in the absence of the injured Danilo Cataldi and Nicolo Rovella. The Spaniard put on a good performance, but his impact was perhaps blown out of proportion, with some fans urging Sarri to confirm him in this new role.
Being a defender, the 32-year-old was never going to face any trouble when it comes to shielding the backline, which is one of the main tasks of a Regista. In the possession phase, Patric is no slouch, but he didn’t always look comfortable on the ball, especially in tight areas.
Against a title challenger, every manager would relish a battling midfielder capable of shutting down technical opponents. However, when facing a smaller side that is happy to sit back and shut the gate, Lazio will need creativity on the ball, or at least quick and clever passing manoeuvres, and Patric won’t be able to offer much in this regard.
Sarri will be hoping to have Cataldi back at his disposal after the international break, which would be a timely return given they’ll be hosting Parma on April 4.
Fan Boycott Only Hurting Lazio
Before kickoff, we got a good glimpse at Sarri’s joyful side (something that we rarely get to see), as the manager accepted the Ultras’ invitation and went to greet them under the Curva Nord.
But after the match, the 67-year-old was quick to burst his own bubble, reminding himself that the fans’ return to the Olimpico was only a one-off.
It’s something special. My only lingering thought is how many points we would have if the Olimpico had always been like this.
Sarri’s concerns echoed the fanbase’s bittersweet post-match feelings, as fans watching at home were left to rue a breathtaking spectacle they’ll be deprived of for an undefined period of time.
Before anyone points the finger at the organized fan groups, they’ll be quick to remind you that their protest is the ultimate ‘act of love’, as they try to rid the club of an increasingly unpopular owner whom they accuse of only caring about his own interests.
But as Lazio fan and journalist Simon Basten eloquently explained, Claudio Lotito is highly unlikely to put the club for sale anytime soon, if ever.
Therefore, the Curva Nord are arguably wasting their time on a futile boycott that punishes the Lazio players, Sarri, and the rest of the fanbase for crimes they did not commit, while the accuser will most likely remain unflinching.
But then again, unjust episodes aren’t exactly a novelty at Lazio.
There’s a lot of pressure on Motta, now he’s all of a sudden the number one goalkeeper in absence of Provedel. He needs to work on his confidence and distribution. But as this season is bar from the Coppa Italia basically done for. It’s a perfect time. Also yes Provedel is doing well this season. So well that you could say statistically he’s in the top 5 arguably even 3rd. Last year though only Montipo was worst. Provedel was leaking goals. Motta can become more worth, it’s not good to celebrate an injury of a Lazio player. But due to this injury Motta is getting his opportunity. Him becoming worth more and becoming first goalkeeper while being on a long contract, is in Lazio’s interest.
Also to add to this, even if he would slip or give away four goals until the end of the season. So what? Even if Lazio would end 12th. Noslin couldn’t leave the club yet Sarri plays Pedro in the 67th minute. This is the last time they likely saw the Spaniard play live. So it’s nice he played against Milan. But lets hope this were his last minutes. It should now only be young players who should be playing. That’s how you make them better and increase transfer worth and odds of selling them.
I completely agree with playing gthe younger players now, including the Polish midfielder and with Motta having a huge chance be ause even if errors will inevitably come, they will be mostly overlooked (hopefully they won’t happen inthe coppa) and this should help him , at least not weigh him down.
My point of view on the boycott is different than the article. For one, we already saw that Lotito is hurt by it, imagine if the season tickets wouldn’t have been so high, I think he would already have been forced to think of selling, at the end of the day he is not even close to the , say Valencia owner Roch to not care, he will surely be thinking. 2nd, the Ultras aren’t the only ones wanting this boycott, the “regular” fans also have had enough and add to it what they just did to them(censoring their speech with the Tevere core ban was a BIG mistake from Lotito) will have galvanised them to continue with the boycott.
Yes, Lazio players and Sarri will be affected negatively by it going forward, but ultimately the biggest loser is the lying, selfish owner and the shareholders who will have enough and likely realise(sooner rather than later) that he is at fault. It will however be painfull and maybe long till that happens.
Avanti Laziali
Once the stadium gets the full green light. He could proceed to sell the club for much more, which might be what he’s waiting for.
I’ll pray for that