In-Depth look at Maurizio Sarri’s first game as Lazio Head Coach
After more than an year’s wait, Maurizio Sarri managed his first official game as Head Coach for a new and promising team — Lazio. The Italian made his comeback against a newly promoted but well-driven hosts — Empoli. The game ended with a 3–1 victory for Sarri’s men. In this piece, we will go deep into Sarri’s principles using this game as the template.
Build-Up Approach against Empoli’s Diamond press
Maurizio Sarri as expected installed a system with emphasis on building ffrom the back. Against Empoli, Lazio tried to build-up using a 2+3 buildup structure with occasionally the Goal-Keeper — Reina joining the first line of buildup.
Empoli pressed the Lazio backline in what resembled a 4–3–1–2 pressing shape. The 2 CFs would press the Lazio CBs Acerbi and Felipe and the Goalkeeper (Reina) while the access to the Lazio #6 (Leiva) would be nullified by the Empoli #10. The Empoli pivot (Bajrami) always glued Leiva with the intention of preventing Lazio to progress centrally.
The above routine would direct the Lazio CBs/GK to play it to the near-sided Full-Back. The reception of the near-sided Full-Back would trigger the Empoli CM to press the Full-Back and at the same time preventing access to the Lazio Centre Mid.
Lazio’s solution
Like mentioned above, Empoli’s pressing scheme emphasized on guiding the ball to the Full-Back and halting central or penetrative passes. Because of this, as soon as the Full-back received Empoli players had to shuttle across. As this happens, the Lazio near CM would position himself in the pocket of space. The Winger would also position himself in the same vertical lane as the Full-Back meant that in-case the FB being in a dangerous situation always had the supportive option of the Wide positioned Winger.
This use of the Wide Winger creates Width in the offensive structure of Lazio meaning that creation of horizontal gaping between the opposite players and allowing channels for the Lazio players to position into (mostly the CM). This Winger-FB-CM relationship was seen a lot in the game. Below are some clips of the routine.
The role of the CMs — Milinković-Savić and Akpro (Alberto in the 2nd half) was key in progressing past Empoli’s 2nd line. The positioning of the CMs in the pockets meant that they were always manipulating the opposition either with or without the ball.
With the ball their reception in the halfspace channel could be followd by a penetrative action with the CF — Ciro Immobile pinning the backline (and as a consequence expanding space for the CM in between the lines.
Without the ball their movements could open up space for a teammate like in the below example Savić drags his marker away and expands space for Ciro Immobile to drop as the situation was not optimum for Lazzari (RB) to play into Savić.
Elements of these combinations can be seen in how Lazio scored their 2nd goal of the night by Lazzari. Milinković-Savić drags the marker away which allows Lazzari to underlap and score the goal giving Lazio the lead.
The CM was always in close proximity with the surrounding players with the ball. As Ciro Immobile was constantly dropping deeper while the ball was in the middle third, it meant that around 5 Lazio players all with close proximity were creating passing lanes for each other and penetrating as a block. Most importantly this ‘mini-structure’ created links with the friendly players with the CM acting as the epicenter; meaning the ball could be easily circulated with precision.
This ‘mini-structure’ itself created what many tacticians call — overload on those specific zones. While the friendly players surround the area around the ball, the opposition reacts with committing their players towards them (strong-side). These conditions make it optimum for the Lazio player(s) switch the play to the weak-sided player. All these scenarios happen directly or indirectly by the CM manipulating the opposite last 2 lines with help of the friendly players like the Full-Back, Wide Winger, Pivot and/or Centre-Forward.
Below are some clips of how this Lazio side use the switch of play by isolating the far-sided player(s).
Pressing Shape
Lazio didn’t pressed much aggressively in the middle third. Higher up which resembled a 4–1–4–1 shape they had a Lone Striker — Ciro Immobile who would press the ball-sided CB directing them wide and the winger was tasked with pressing them. The CMs would position themselves bit higher so as to prevent access to the opposite CMs (vertical progression).
Even in their mid-block of 4–4–2 the principles remained the same which were to guide the opposition wide and use the winger as the tool to win the ball back using the sideline as an extra defender.
Empoli could circulate between the CBs (2v1 against Immobile) and could also switch it the weak-sided FB. However the the Lazio 2nd line of 4 players would shuttle across taking very less time. The mid-block looks much more zonally stable with horizontal compactness as the basic fundamental.*
Personal Thoughts
This is just his first game so drawing conclusions like Lazio winning the scudetto would be pointless. I am still keen on how he plays against different sides with different scenarios. Would be nevertheless interesting.
Personally I was waiting for his return from many months ago, so I would probably be biased here but I enjoyed a lot watching the game after a pretty long time which made me write this piece.
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