Atalanta check Lazio as Maldini’s role comes under scrutiny | OneFootball

Back in Rome after midweek Coppa Italia progress, Lazio were checked by Atalanta at the Olimpico. The hosts hit the post twice as the visitors seized the key moments.

According to The Laziali, a sparse Olimpico and city protests framed a display short on bite and precision. Atalanta led from the spot after a Danilo Cataldi handball, then former Roma wing-back Nicola Zalewski found the bottom corner from the edge of the area.

With Taty Castellanos sold last month, Angelo Fabiani moved for Petar Ratkov, yet Maurizio Sarri has stuck with Daniel Maldini as a number nine, leaving the 22-year-old Serbian on the bench. Maldini looked far more comfortable once Ratkov arrived, drifting left and briefly operating as a No. 10. With Mattia Zaccagni close to returning, he may persist to protect his starting spot.

Nicolo Rovella’s cameo underlined how much Lazio have missed him in midfield. The Genoa academy product is simply the only one who adds real quality and flair there, beyond Danilo Cataldi’s honest work. If he reaches top condition for the Coppa Italia semi-final, their chances could rise.

Sarri has spoken of building around seven or eight core players, and with a European push looking remote this feels the time to widen opportunities. Ratkov needs minutes, which would also help Nuno Tavares’s crossing. If Alessio Romagnoli could depart in the summer, Oliver Provstgaard merits starts. If Edoardo Motta is so highly rated, let him prove it rather than repeat the Christos Mandas scenario, and find a role for Adrien Przyborek.

Source: The Laziali