Three Things We Learned From Lazio vs Atalanta: Maldini Impeded by Sarri Experiment | OneFootball

After finding success in their Northern ventures, Lazio were given a reality check on their return to Rome, falling short against Atalanta on Saturday.

Virtually empty stands, protests in the city, empty promises of a better future, a solemn head coach, and a defeat against a direct competitor… Welcome home, boys!

Three days after eliminating Bologna in the Coppa Italia, the Biancocelesti had to swiftly restore their energy before hosting La Dea at the Stadio Olimpico. But while their performance wasn’t terrible by any means, it lacked the required tenacity and precision, not to mention a little bit of fortune.

While Maurizio Sarri’s men were thwarted by the post on a couple of occasions, fortune favored the visitors, who broke the deadlock from the spot following a handball on Danilo Cataldi. Former Roma wing-back Nicola Zalewski then marked his personal Derby by finding the bottom corner with a nice effort from the edge of the box.

So let’s delve into three talking points from Lazio’s home defeat to Atalanta.

Daniel Maldini Not Meant to Lead the Line

After selling Taty Castellanos last month, Angelo Fabiani immediately replaced him with another centre-forward, and his name is Petar Ratkov. However, Sarri had never heard of the Serbian before, so the 22-year-old has been dropped to the bench, with the manager insisting on playing Maldini as a No.9.

While the third-generation player hasn’t disgraced himself, it is painfully obvious that he isn’t cut out for the striker’s role. The Italian international enjoys roaming in the final third, dropping deep to receive the ball (without being chased by the centre-back), and drifting to the wings.

On Saturday, Maldini’s performance instantly improved following Ratkov’s introduction, which allowed him to play as a left winger. He was then briefly tested as an attacking midfielder before moving to the left again, and throughout the recurring shifts, it became increasingly obvious that the 24-year-old was much more at ease while working around the centre-forward, rather than interpreting the role himself.

Nevertheless, with Mattia Zaccagni’s return edging ever closer, Maldini will be willing to cling to this tough experiment, as it remains his best bet to maintain a starting role.

Nicolo Rovella is Sarri’s Best January ‘Signing’

Many things have been said about Lazio’s campaign, but the impact of Nicolo Rovella’s absence has arguably been understated. The 24-year-old is simply the only Lazio player capable of adding quality and flair to the middle of the park.

With all due respect to Danilo Cataldi, who has been serving the cause valiantly since the start of the season, Rovella is simply on another level, as proven by the flashes of brilliance he displayed during his cameo against Atalanta.

If the Genoa youth product can regain his optimal physical condition for the Coppa Italia semi-final, the Biancocelesti’s chances of lifting the trophy would receive a major boost.

Time to Experiment

Since the start of the season, Sarri reiterated that his main objective is to find a group of 7-8 players that he can build upon for years to come. Well, with Lazio virtually ruled out of the European race through the Serie A, this sounds like a perfect time to back up his words with action by giving chances for those who have featured less.

As we mentioned above, Ratkov could do with more playing time, which could also benefit those around him. For instance, Nuno Tavares looked relieved to have a big centre-forward to aim for with his crosses.

Petar Ratkov with Claudio Lotito and Agnelo Fabiani (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)

Moreover, if Alessio Romagnoli is keen on leaving the club in the summer, why not give the impressive Oliver Provstgaard more starting berths? And if Edoardo Motta is truly one of the finest young goalkeepers in Italy, then let him prove it on the pitch rather than suffer the Christos Mandas treatment.

And finally, why not find a role for Adrien Przyborek, whose reputation as a promising youngster preceded him to Rome.

Surely we’re not suggesting that Sarri should throw in the towel with 13 rounds left on the books, but simply put, there will never be a more suitable time to introduce youngsters to the fold, while preserving the senior players for the big clashes, especially the Coppa Italia fixtures.