Lazio Midfielder Set for Double Role as He Returns From Injury | OneFootball

Revitalized Lazio player Toma Basic has a double duty to perform between now and the end of the season.

The Background

The 29-year-old has been omitted from the club’s squad since last season, but an injury crisis in September allowed him back in. The Croatian made the most out of his opportunity, not only locking himself a regular starting spot, but was also identified by Maurizio Sarri as ‘untouchable‘.

Toma Basic Returns From Injury

At the start of February, Basic was forced to stop after picking up a knock during the contest against Juventus. The midfielder made his return to training last week, but he wasn’t fit enough to take part in Saturday’s away game against Cagliari, so he was left behind in Rome.

Basic Eyeing Coppa Italia Clash Between Lazio & Atalanta

According to Il Corriere dello Sport (via La Lazio Siamo Noi), Basic is pushing for a return in Sunday’s match against Torino. He’ll be hoping to take part in the action, even if partially, as it would pave the way for a prominent role in the all-important Coppa Italia semi-final clash against Atalanta. The first leg will take place at the Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday, March 4.

As the Roman newspaper explains, the former Bordeaux star will have a crucial role to play in the final months of the season, especially with Nicolo Rovella out for several months with a fractured collarbone that required surgical intervention.

Why Basic Will Play a Dual Role for Lazio

Basic will regain his starting role as a box-to-box midfielder, forming a trio with Kenneth Taylor and Danilo Cataldi. Moreover, Sarri now considers the Croatian as the first option to replace Cataldi in the Regista role, now that Rovella is unavailable.

Toma Basic (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)

While Reda Belahyane did fairly well in Sardinia, the manager doesn’t see him operating in a deeper role. Hence, if Cataldi is ruled out of action for any reason, Basic would be moved back to the deep-lying playmaker position, with the young Moroccan coming in as a box-to-box midfielder.