A more than positive performance but not enough to return to Rome with the points. Lazio leaving Florence is full of anger and regrets, as also demonstrated by the words of Barons in the post-match. Anger for some incidents that according to the rules are also correct (there would be a missed step on foot on Patric with the score at 1-1), but which as underlined by the biancoceleste coach go against the spirit of the game itself. Tavares’ intervention is genuine, he tries to counter the opponent and does nothing to commit an unfairness. The use and abuse of VAR did the rest, thus conditioning a good performance by Lazio who must leave the Franchi with their heads held high. The details were missing, perhaps even a pinch of luck, especially on that crossbar header by Guendouzi five minutes from the end. Regardless of the incidents, what was missing above all was weight in the penalty area. In short, Castellanos was missing.
Taty’s Weight and the Noslin Question
Baroni has often underlined in recent months that the Argentine is a key player for Lazio. Castellanos he is the perfect point of reference for the offensive phase, he takes the pressure off Dia and fills the penalty area by attacking the many crosses that arrive from the outside lanes (29 attempted at Franchi against Fiorentina’s 14). If Taty has always responded present and is becoming a fixed point for Lazio, the same cannot be said of Noslin. Talking about a case would be out of place, but without a doubt the former Verona player is the one who is settling in with the greatest difficulty among the new signings who have found space. Yesterday in Florence he seemed like a fish out of water, incapable of making himself dangerous despite Lazio producing a lot (in addition to the aforementioned 29 crosses, 20 total shots and 10 corners taken). For Noslin only one shot out in 90 minutes, too few if he wants to have an impact like he did last year in Verona. Castellanos’ recovery will be crucial for the next two away games, starting with Wednesday’s match against Dynamo Kiev in Hamburg, where Lazio will kick off their European campaign.