Nuno Tavares Hints Lazio Mismanaged His Injuries, Admits ‘Restrain’ Under Sarri

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The Laziali

·2 de abril de 2026

Nuno Tavares Hints Lazio Mismanaged His Injuries, Admits ‘Restrain’ Under Sarri

Lazio left-back Nuno Tavares opened up about his journey at the club, which has been a rollercoaster filled with highs and lows.

The Background

The Portuguese international joined from Arsenal on loan in the summer of 2024 before completing a permanent transfer a year later.

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Last season, the 26-year-old cemented himself as Lazio’s ultimate star in the early going, producing eight assists in his first eight Serie A outings. On the other hand, he has only registered one thus far this term across all competitions, creating Mattia Zaccagni’s winner over AC Milan in the Coppa Italia from a corner kick.

Nuno Tavares Explains his Attacking Restraint

In a chat with the official Serie A YouTube channel, Tavares admitted that this season, he has been forced to limit his attacking forays under the tutelage of Maurizio Sarri, who demands more organization and solidity at the back.

This season you’re not seeing much of my attacking output because we’re more tactically focused and perhaps more restrained, but it’s a way to improve as a team. We play good football, though. My goal is always to improve on last season; I don’t want to set a specific number of assists, but of course I’d like to get more.

Tavares Happy to Play Under Maurizio Sarri

The former Marseille and Nottingham Forest man only recently returned to Sarri’s lineup, as Luca Pellegrini was favored at left-back for long spells. However, the full-back insisted he’s enjoying his football under the 67-year-old.

Playing for a coach who has won many trophies with different clubs is always positive. I always want to work with the best, and that’s why I’m happy to work with him I want to keep improving this season. I need to be more decisive and consistent. I hope we can achieve our objectives and that the fans are happy with us.

Tavares Aims Dig at Lazio?

Last season, Tavares suffered seven muscle injuries and was often called back to action prematurely. The Portuguese subtly suggested that the club mismanaged his physical condition during Marco Baroni’s reign.

I know my body, but sometimes decisions don’t entirely depend on me. I know what I can give and when I can’t perform at my best. There have been issues; we weren’t always on the same page on certain decisions, but the important thing is that I know how to read my body. I know what I need and when I need to stop.

Music Background

Finally, Tavares revealed that football wasn’t his solitary passion in his youth, but he was also an aspiring cello player.

I’m the son of Cape Verdean parents, but I was born in Portugal. I loved playing football as a child and nothing has changed since then. Then music came along. I enrolled in a school to learn and went three times a week. It was easy to combine the two passions; I had teachers who allowed me to balance both. My love for football and music is on the same level. At 15, I had to make a choice between football and the cello. It was difficult, because music is always a part of me, I feel it everywhere, it’s as if I never stopped.