Lazio were on top of their game last season, finishing fifth in the league, only one slot shy of earning the right to play for the Champions League qualifying round. In fact, Lazio, and the fourth place holders Udinese, both ended up on level terms with 66 points.
Despite finishing with an equal head to head record, Lazio’s inferior goal difference to Udinese was a result of their ineptness to score. Among the top eight teams, they scored the least goals. However, defensively, only the champions, AC Milan, conceded less goals than Lazio.
In Edoardo Reja, Lazio have a proven technician. Reja was the man who guided Napoli to a consecutive double promotion. While at the Biancocelesti, he has crafted a rigid back line, barricaded by two able defensive midfielders – Cristian Brocchi and Cristian Ledesma. Noticing the fading prowess of the veteran Tommaso Rocchi, Reja signed the German 2006 World Cup sensation Miroslav Klose and the swift Frenchman Djibril Cisse.
This season, Lazio has arguably the most competent squad in terms of depth and flexibility.
Lazio Sqaud
Goalkeepers (5): Bizzarri, Scarfagna, Marchetti, Carrizo, Berardi
Defenders (18): Radu, Diakite, Biava, Garrido, Scaloni, Dias, Stendardo, Konko, Stankevicius, Crescenzi, Cavanda, Andreoli, Barluzzi, Fagioli, Oddo, Zauri, Serpieri, Chirico
Midfielders (13): Pasquetto, Monteforte, Cataldi, Carru, Zampa, Brocchi, Cana, Ledesma, Lulic, Gonzalez, Matuzalem, Hernanes, Mauri
Strikers (10): Kozak, Rocchi, Sculli, Klose, Makinwa, Pagni, Rozzi, Del Nero, Ceccarelli, Cisse
In the opening game of the season, Lazio drew 2-2 against Milan. They were energetic, swift and sharp in the first half, but gradually faded in the second. Throughout the game, coach Reja deployed a 4-2-3-1, which was roughly maintained. Against FC Vasuli in the UEFA Europa League, Reja fielded an attacking 3-4-3, which was altered after Zauri’s red card.
Given Reja’s tactical aptitude, and with a resourceful squad at his disposal, it will be very interesting to observe Lazio’s tactical transition this season.
Below, I have made an attempt to make diagrammatic representations of different possible formations. Please bear in mind that I am not attempting to select the team. Obviously, with a big squad, there are multiple players suited for the same position.
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4 – 2 – 3 – 1
This formation is frequently used by
Reja and arguably is the most suitable.
The two man defensive midfield link of
Ledesma and the veteren Brocchi
provides a strong leverage for the three
man attacking trio. However, by playing
a lone striker, this formation places
much attacking responsibility on the
wingers. Often, when the wingers have
failed, Lazio depends on Hernanes for
creativity. In summation, a three man
attacking thread remains Lazio’s best
bet.
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3 – 1 – 4 – 2
Playing with a four man attacking mid
field allows Hernanes to spread his
creativity to the wings as well as lets
Ledesma quickly drop back to form a
mid field diamond, when defending.
Also, players like Rocchi and Cisse
are capable of playing as a classic
brain-less, battering ‘number 9’. This
formation is most suitable while
playing a physical and aggressive
game but in normal circumstances,
a three-man defense could be risky.
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3 – 4 – 3
Lazio have consistently used this
formation in the past, often, when
chasing a game. However, as we
have seen, the two central mid
fielders are likely to be predominantly
engaged on more defensive duties.
Again, this formation heavily relies on
wing play and the ability of the
wingers and side midfielders to
interchange their position. Besides,
the three man defense is fairly
vulnerable.
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4 – 3 – 3
Much more reasonable and risk
free, Lazio have had considerable
success with this formation. However,
given the squad, Reja would have
selection head ache while choosing
the midfielders. Also, in a three man
mid field, Lazio have struggled to find
the right balance between defensive
and offensive minded players. On the
flip side, a ‘V’ shaped front three suits
Lazio’s squad.
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4 – 4 – 2
The classic 4-4-2 might be popular
and well suited to Italy, but it is not
the most fit-able formation for Lazio’s
creative players like Hernanes, who
plays better as a trequartista. In addition,
the mid field is very likely to revert
to a ‘diamond’, which works better. In short,
the effectiveness of 4-4-2 will invariably
depend on the selection of the players as
well as the individual roles assigned to
them.
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5 – 3 – 2
Despite having mixed results, this is
another familiar system used by Lazio.
Nevertheless, Reja needs to address the
problem of filling up the space in the
middle. If the central midfielder were to
drop back, as we have seen with Brocchi,
the other two midfielders are required to
converge in the middle, which has been a
problem for Lazio. This would mean that
the play would have to be dictated by
the wingers without the support of a central
play maker.
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4 – 1 – 2 – 3
This is an ideal formation as it provides the
team with plenty of width (which is also a
recurring problem for many Italian teams).
Two central midfielders would provide extra
cover for the wingers. When Lazio have
experimented with this formation, they have
faced an underlying problem of three mid
fielders being stacked together, forming a
straight line. If one of the central mid
fielders is able to play as a ‘false 9’, this
formation could suit Lazio.
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4 – 4 – 1 – 1
Probably the most unlikely formation
for Lazio, but it is very well suited for
players capable of playing in the hole.
Given the availability of creative and
wide players, only a certain few like Cisse
or Rocchi would be able to fit into this
system. This formation would come handy
only when defending a score line at the
death.
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4 – 1 – 2 – 1 – 2
Arguably the best suited formation for
Lazio. This system would bring the most
out of Hernanes’ ingenuity. At the same
time, a central mid fielder could act as
the fulcrum, allowing the defensive
midfielder to cater to his duties
without having to move forward.
Playing with two strikers would
also allow Lazio with more goal
scoring opportunities.
In summation, the choice of formation depends entirely on Reja’s team selection, the pattern of the game and Lazio’s objectives. In any case, we definitely have reasons to be excited about and plenty to look forward to this season!
Follow Swarup on Twitter: @argeniter
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