Sarri to Unleash New Hybrid Formation Thanks to Versatile Lazio Duo | OneFootball

Lazio manager Maurizio Sarri has been forced to tinker over the past few weeks due to the club’s new-ending injury woes.

The Background

The 66-year-old re-implemented his tried-and-trusted 4-3-3 formation upon his return to Formello last summer, even though the management wasn’t able to bring him the profiles required for this tactical jigsaw due to the transfer ban.

Maurizio Sarri Navigating Between Lazio Crisis

In recent weeks, a vast midfield crisis prompted Sarri to adjust his plans and adopt a 4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1 formation. But while the head coach has now recovered the services of a few midfielders, he’s instead facing an attacking emergency, with Taty Castellanos ruled out until late November, and Mattia Zaccagni unlikely to be fit enough to start this weekend against Atalanta.

Lazio Planning to Alter Between 4-3-3 & 4-4-2

According to Il Corriere dello Sport, Sarri is now planning to unleash a new hybrid formation that allows him to switch between the original 4-3-3 and the more recent 4-4-2. In this regard, Pedro and Toma Basic will play key roles, as their versatility will enable Lazio to alter from one shape to another.

Toma Basic and Pedro (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

As the Roman newspaper explains, the Biancocelesti could begin with a 4-3-3 system that sees the returning Matteo Guendouzi lining up alongside Danilo Cataldi and Basic in the midfield trio, while Pedro completes an attacking trident that also features Matteo Cancellieri and Boulaye Dia (who would hopefully overcome his ankle issues).

How Pedro & Basic Can Change Lazio’s Shape

Nevertheless, Pedro can easily switch from his role on the wing to take on a more central position alongside Dia, while Basic drifts to a wider role to act as a left winger in a 4-4-2 formation, with Cancellieri on the opposite flank.

The Aquile will be hoping to avoid another setback in Bergamo, as they might be one defeat away from a full-blown crisis.