Nuno Tavares & Five Lazio Players Reborn Under Gattuso

While working under Gennaro Gattuso, Lazio left-back Nuno Tavares found his best form, and he’s not the only one to revive his Lazio stint.

Nuno Tavares is a Lazio Protagonist Once More

The Portuguese left-back was the club’s ultimate star during his first few months at the club under Marco Baroni, before being derailed by injuries. However, the 26-year-old had a difficult campaign under Maurizio Sarri, who demanded more defensive discipline, and many felt that Alfonso Pedraza’s arrival could spell the end of his Lazio adventure.

However, Tavares has been a key player since Gattuso’s appointment, forming a devastating combination with his captain Mattia Zaccagni on the left wing. As La Gazzetta dello Sport notes, the Portugal international isn’t the only player at Lazio who seemed to be on his way out of the club, only to be ‘reborn’ under the 48-year-old Calabrian.

Tijjani Noslin

Like Tavares, Tijjani Noslin has been at the club since the summer of 2024. Last season, Sarri admitted he didn’t know where to field the Dutchman, who was thus lost in the shuffle. On the contrary, Gattuso is relishing the 26-year-old’s versatility. He’s currently fielding him as a striker while awaiting Andrea Pinamonti’s best version to emerge, and he’s also testing him as part of the support crew.

Reda Belahyane

With Danilo Cataldi and Nicolo Rovella both ruled out of action, Reda Belahyane’s ressuregence under Gattuso may have been a coincidence, but a mesmerising one nonetheless. The Moroccan international has been excellent at shielding the backline while helping bring the ball forward, thus presenting himself as a modern-day Regista.

Matteo Cancellieri

In the final days of the summer transfer window, Matteo Cancellieri was on the verge of leaving the club. However, encouraged by what he saw on the training ground, Gattuso had a change of heart, blocking the winger’s departure.

Although the Italian hasn’t been sensational by any means, he has managed to add energy and composure to the right flank while Gustav Isaksen continues to work on regaining his best form.

Christos Mandas

During the second half of the 2024/25 campaign, Christos Mandas had usurped Ivan Provedel in the pecking order, only for Sarri to reverse the decision following his return to the club. Therefore, the Greek custodian was loaned out to Bournemouth, where he failed to earn a single appearance.

Nevertheless, Gattuso insisted that Mandas is worthy of the starting gloves from his first day at Formello, so he had no qualms about selling Provedel. The Greek custodian has thus far proven him right, as he’s been superb between the sticks.

Romano Floriani Mussolini

Unlike the other players on the list, Romano Floriani Mussolini hadn’t been given a chance in the first place, with the club sending him out on loan after outgrowing the Primavera squad. However, Gattuso immediately placed him ahead of Manuel Lazzari in the pecking order, so when Adam Marusic was ruled out with an injury, the Lazio youth product was given the nod.

The 23-year-old has been a breath of fresh air in Lazio’s ageing full-back department, and the club is keen to reward him with a new contract in the coming months.