Lazio’s place alongside Inter at the top of Serie A has been shaped not only by results, but by the return of players who had appeared to be on the margins of the project. Under Gennaro Gattuso, Christos Mandas, Reda Belahyane, Tijjani Noslin, Nuno Tavares and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru have each found a clearer purpose after difficult spells in the previous campaign.
A changed hierarchy at Lazio
The club’s early defensive record has given the revival a solid foundation. Lazio have conceded only four goals across seven league rounds, the second-best total in Serie A behind Roma, with Mandas becoming a dependable presence in goal.
- In January 2025, Mandas had been ready to leave after finding little room at Lazio, aside from a Coppa Italia appearance against Milan. A proposed loan to Bournemouth followed, although the Greek goalkeeper did not play in England.
- During the latter part of last season, with Marco Baroni in charge, he moved ahead of Ivan Provedel in the pecking order.
- Maurizio Sarri’s return brought another change, but Gattuso chose Mandas as his first-choice goalkeeper in June while Provedel appeared set for Inter.
- The 25-year-old has justified that decision, notably saving a penalty at Venezia and helping Lazio establish one of the division’s strongest defences.
Belahyane has experienced an equally significant shift. The 22-year-old French-Moroccan midfielder arrived in January 2025 and had worked with Baroni previously at Verona, yet he made only six appearances under that coach and was left out of the UEFA list.
Sarri used him more as an attacking-minded central midfielder, but the path remained complicated: 13 appearances in all, only five of them from the opening whistle. Gattuso has restored him to the centre of midfield, where he has taken over the playmaking role since the second round following Nicolò Rovella’s injury, with Danilo Cataldi still unavailable.
Belahyane’s authority, competitive edge and defensive support for the centre-backs have made him an important part of a midfield unit also featuring Frattesi and Taylor. For Gattuso, he is now another established starter, meaning Rovella will have to win back his place.
Noslin turns a likely departure into an opportunity
Noslin’s position at Lazio looked uncertain over the summer. The 27-year-old Dutch forward joined in 2024, in the summer when Ciro Immobile left the club, after Baroni had wanted to bring him from Verona. He was expected to compete with Valentín Castellanos for the centre-forward role.
His first season did not settle quickly. Adaptation issues were believed to have affected him, while Sarri struggled to identify his most suitable role in the front three. Noslin finished the campaign with five goals in 29 outings, starting only 11 times.
- Noslin was considered available for a move during the summer window.
- His work in pre-season began to persuade Gattuso, even as Lazio searched for another striker.
- Andrea Pinamonti arrived, but physical problems for the former Sassuolo forward opened further space.
- Noslin took it, scoring twice and earning a starting role through his movement and willingness to connect Lazio’s attacking play.
- His improvement also strengthened Gattuso’s decision against pursuing Mauro Icardi.
Tavares and Dele-Bashiru add momentum
Tavares has also rediscovered the force that made him such a prominent figure during Baroni’s first season. Under Sarri, the Portuguese left-back played around 1,800 minutes but was left on the bench nine times, as the coach demanded greater defensive discipline than the forward surges that had previously defined his game.
There were few indications during Gattuso’s training camp that the 26-year-old would become central again, and he appeared close to an exit. His substitute appearance in the opening-day match at Bologna changed the direction of his season.
Tavares has regained his speed down the left and has been asked to attack more central areas as well. One of those inward runs produced his first Lazio goal against Monza, while he has already supplied three assists.
Dele-Bashiru, now in his third season in Rome, has also responded to the confidence shown by the new coach. The 25-year-old Nigerian had struggled for continuity under both Baroni and Sarri, with the problem extending beyond the question of position.
- Gattuso tested Dele-Bashiru on the right side of midfield in the opening league fixture.
- He was injured in that match and replaced by Frattesi.
- He returned in the second half against Monza.
- Against Juventus on Sunday, he drove through midfield before scoring Lazio’s third goal in a 3-0 victory.
These recoveries have given Lazio more than a series of individual success stories. They have widened Gattuso’s options and turned players once regarded as reserves, transfer candidates or tactical uncertainties into contributors to a side setting the early pace in the championship.
