Let us bow before the golden numbers of the new Tudor kingdom. On his debut in 2005 as Lazio coach, and in the last 65 years, only Delio Rossi had done better, with four home successes in a row. Against Verona comes the third consecutive victory at the Olimpico, the fifth total (out of seven matches) since his arrival. Experiments and elements adapted outside the role in the 3-4-2-1, as well as the game, are not yet entirely convincing, but the results are almost all in favor of the Croatian: from 1.4 points per game to an average of 2, 5 with the technical change; 12 points in total, in the first round there were just 2 against the same opponents in the championship. It’s true, the defeat against Juventus in the first leg of the Coppa Italia semi-final in Turin and the derby lost in the Champions League have an impact, but let’s remember that in mid-March Lazio seemed dead and every dream had already vanished. Today, however, the hope of a fifth place returned, difficult to achieve, but not impossible with Roma at +4, who will have to face Juve and then Atalanta in the direct clash. Tudor’s first merit is having given life back to a team that had lost its soul and body. Lotito got to the point on this: «Igor brought character and transmitted his warrior spirit». The Biancocelesti returned to running and fighting, the coach persuaded everyone to follow him, where Sarri now seemed to have lost his pulse.
TESTED STAFF
The fans smile, they puzzle over the distinctions between ancient and modern football. Sometimes, however, the turning point is just due to a simple change. This is why we still regret not having had the economic strength to favor him in November after the Salerno debacle (with 16 million gross still in the budget), when everything was already clear, instead of waiting for Sarri to take a step back. In the blink of an eye, Lazio is intense again, uses the long ball, has a different approach in the second half, attacks the area and space more, shoots on target 17 times, is inaccurate in front of goal (only 5 conclusions in the mirror), but now even 1-0 is enough, assisted by fate (see Genoa with Ekuban or, on Saturday, the miracle of Mandas) when there are some mistakes behind (just two goals conceded, in the calculation). Fortune favors the bold like Tudor. His second merit is having involved everyone in his project: in seven games he used 19 different starters, almost the entire staff. Only Pellegrini, Rovella (returning from a two-month layoff due to groin pain) and Provedel (injured before his arrival) have not yet started.
THE FUTURE NOW
The future is now. Tudor is building it without fear of any criticism or possible accidents along the way: «With the club we have not set any objectives for this final, we want to get as high as possible in the championship». Igor knows that Lotito and Fabiani cannot expect it, but they hope for the Champions League, which would have a sensational impact on the next transfer market. Not setting that goal publicly is taking away pressure, favoring his work and a reckless attitude. But Tudor certainly believes it, otherwise he wouldn’t be making the most of Felipe Anderson, Kamada and Luis Alberto, the best on the pitch with suitcases in hand. The Croatian has signed until 2025, he will ask for real replacements to sign the renewal, after having avoided the option for another year. It won’t be enough to have rented a house in Via Nemea, in the historic area that was once the home of the legend Bob Lovati, to put down roots in Lazio.
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